Obituary of Nancy Bury

Nancy Ryan Bury died peacefully on August 10, 2026 from complications due to heart failure after a long and fulfilling life. 

Born Nancy Johanna Ryan on January 16, 1939 in Sandusky, Ohio to James E. Ryan, M.D. and Dorothy M. Ryan, Nancy grew up in Louisville, Kentucky, graduating from Sacred Heart Academy in 1957.    

After high school Nancy went on to study nursing, graduating in 1960 from St. Joseph's Infirmary School of Professional Nursing in Louisville. From there she began a successful nursing career as a Registered Nurse working in both the Intensive Care and Cardiac Care Units. In 1970, she married Robert Bury and moved to New Jersey. Bob’s career would take them around the world to Canada, Belgium and San Angelo, Texas before the final stop in Bernardsville, New Jersey in 1981. Nancy embarked on a successful real estate career in NJ with Schlott Realtors, Coldwell Banker, and ReMax before running her own property management business, Executive Rentals. In retirement, Nancy moved to the Hills in Bridgewater before her last residence at Fellowship Village in Basking Ridge. 

Nancy always enjoyed fun company and was a welcome addition to the party with her quick wit, friendly charm, and warm personality. Nancy took pride in hosting an annual Kentucky Derby Party on the first Saturday of May, complete with everything from Derby hats to Derby pie. Nancy was also an adventurous traveler and enjoyed many overseas trips with her family and friends. 

Nancy was preceded in death by her parents, her brother J. Patrick Ryan, and her sister Dorothy Jane Ryan. She is survived by her brothers R. Michael Ryan, D. Kevin Ryan, and Dennis J. Ryan; her children, Stephanie B. Cairns and Christopher M. Bury and his wife Megan T. Bury; her grandchildren Aidan M. Cairns, Margaret (Molly) J. Cairns, Matthew R. Bury, Thomas C. Bury, and Daniel C. Bury, her ex-spouse Robert H. Bury, and by her many nieces and nephews and countless friends.

A visitation will be held on August 13th from 4-7pm at the Gallaway and Crane Funeral Home, 101 South Finley Ave, Basking Ridge. Liturgy of Christian Burial will be held on August 14th at 11:00am Our Lady of Perpetual Help , 111 Claremont Road, Bernardsville, NJ.

In lieu of flowers, donations may also be made in Nancy’s memory to the United Cerebral Palsy Foundation. If you make a donation, please notify the family at scairns500@gmail.com so we may acknowledge your kindness.