BUXTON – Nancy Tapec Atienza, 72, passed away peacefully, surrounded by family and loved ones, at her home on Friday, May 17, 2024, after a brief but courageous battle with cancer. Born on Feb. 20, 1952, in Sanchez Mira, Cagayan Valley Province, Philippines, she was the daughter of Rufino and Concepcion Juan Tapec.

Nancy graduated from the Ortañez University School of Nursing in Quezon City, Philippines, in 1973, after which she worked as an orthopedic nurse and was an active member of the Philippine Nurse Association prior to immigrating to the United States in 1977, where she later became a citizen and settled.

On July 16, 1977, Nancy married Felix Y. Atienza Jr. II, originally of Puerto Galera, Oriental Mindoro, Philippines, at John the Evangelist Church in South Portland, with whom she raised three children, educating each in local Catholic schools including Cheverus High School and the now-closed Catherine McAuley High School.

Nancy placed family before all else and believed in leading by example. She dedicated her life to caring for others, instilled in her children the value of hard work and education, and had an entrepreneurial spirit. After working for various assisted living and nursing homes for years, she eventually opened her own facility in 2002, Countryside Adult Family Care Home, which she owned and operated with her husband as a family business for decades.

She was a communicant of Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Portland, and previously attended Saint Patrick’s Church, also in Portland, for decades before it closed in 2013.

Nancy leaves behind a legacy of love for and dedication to her family, including her grandchildren who affectionately referred to her as “Lola”.

She was predeceased by her mother, Concepcion, and father, Rufino; as well as sister, Grace T. Thomas of Sanchez-Mira.

She is survived by her husband, Felix; children, local businessman Michael Atienza, owner of various commercial real estate brokerage, construction and investment companies, and fiancé Nicole Palmer and children of Bath; Michelle Atienza, a Nurse Practitioner, and husband Patrick Venne of Gorham; and local businessman Matthew Atienza and fiancé Amber Link and children, of Parsonsfield; as well as seven grandchildren, Rosa Atienza of Burlington, Vt., Angelo Atienza of Bath, Daniel, Joseph, Declan and Maria Venne, all of Gorham, and Madison Atienza of Parsonsfield; as well as two sisters, Edna Faulve and Lita Acquino, of Sanchez-Mira, in addition to 11 brother-and-sisters-in-law; and dozens of nieces and nephews residing throughout Maine, the United States, Philippines and beyond.

Visiting hours and reception will be held from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Thursday, May 30 at Jones, Rich & Barnes Funeral Home, 199 Woodford St., Portland. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated Saturday, June 1 at 10 a.m. at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, 307 Congress St., Portland. Inurnment at Brooklawn Cemetery, 2002 Congress St., Portland, will follow at 11:30 a.m., prior to lunch at the Italian Heritage Center in Portland immediately after.

Please visit http://www.jonesrichandbarnes.com to leave condolences for the family and sign Nancy’s online guest book.

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