Nancy Cantwell

Nancy Cantwell, née Namsun Koh, passed away peacefully on December 2, 2025, at Excelcare at Norwood in Norwood, New Jersey. Born on February 28, 1929, in Osaka, Japan, Nancy's journey through life was marked by resilience, compassion, and dedication to the care of others.

Her early years were profoundly shaped by the turbulent times of World War II. Nancy attended nursing school at Hiroshima Veterans Hospital during the war, earning her nursing license amid extraordinary challenges. Demonstrating remarkable courage and dedication, she was a member of a rescue team that served the victims of the Hiroshima atomic bomb. Following the war's conclusion, she returned to Korea, further extending her commitment to nursing and healing.

Nancy’s professional contributions extended well beyond these early experiences. She was also a licensed midwife and a certified Lamaze instructor, reflecting her comprehensive expertise in maternal and infant care. In 1971, she immigrated to the United States, securing a nursing position at Wyckoff Heights Hospital in New York City. Over the years, she worked at various hospitals as a registered nurse, earning the respect and admiration of colleagues and patients alike.

Perhaps most notably, Nancy served as an invaluable faculty member at St. Luke’s Roosevelt Hospital Center’s Parent Family Education Program for nearly two decades. With her unique skills as a Japanese-speaking registered nurse and childbirth educator, she identified and addressed a special need in the New York Metropolitan area. She developed the first hospital-sponsored childbirth education, baby care, and breastfeeding classes specifically tailored for young Japanese families newly relocated to the region. Nancy's pioneering work opened vital pathways of support and understanding for these families, leaving a lasting legacy within the hospital community and beyond.

A woman of creativity and gentle spirit, Nancy found joy in embroidery, knitting, and crocheting during her leisure time—hobbies through which she expressed her care and artistry.

Nancy was preceded in death by her beloved husbands, Taigin Chung and Larry Cantwell—the latter being the love of her life. She leaves behind a loving family who cherished her deeply: her son Danny Chung, daughter Christine Mulvey, stepson Michael Cantwell, granddaughter Jean Chung, grandson Danny Chung, grandson Brendan Mulvey, and granddaughter Joanna Mulvey, all of whom carry forward her memory with affection and respect.

A Memorial Gathering to celebrate Nancy’s life will be held on April 30, 2026, from 10:00 a.m. to noon at the Frank Patti & Kenneth Mikatarian Funeral Home, located at 327 Main Street, Fort Lee, New Jersey. The interment will follow at Brigadier General William C. Doyle Memorial Cemetery, 350 Province Line Road, Wrightstown, New Jersey, beginning at 2:00 p.m.

Nancy Cantwell’s life was one of profound service, boundless compassion, and quiet strength. Her contributions as a nurse, educator, and caring individual have left an indelible mark on many, and her memory will be cherished by all who had the privilege to know her.