Nancy (Cutting) Heck

Nancy (Cutting) Heck, 85, a longtime Sutton resident, devoted wife and mother, passed away peacefully Friday, March 14th, 2025 in her home. Nancy is welcomed into heaven by family members whom she lost in recent years: her husband, Robert Louis Heck (April 2024), daughter, Nancy Diana (Feb 2019), son, David Robert (Jan 2025) and sisters-in-law Betty Dean (Sep 2023) and Mary Heck (Jan 2025).

Nancy was born in Worcester on July 24, 1939, the daughter of Edward and Erma (Heath) Cutting. Raised in Worcester, she graduated from South High School. Nancy met the love of her life and soul mate, Robert, in 1963, while he was working as a radio host with WORC. Bob and Nancy both earned their amateur radio licenses (W1JLA and K1ZUU). They would often go ‘mobileering,’ using ham radio to meet up with their friends and explore the region by car. Bob and Nancy married in 1964 and settled in Sutton, raising their family with love, laughter, and service to the community.

Nancy was always caring for others, both professionally as a home health aide and nurse, and personally as a mom, aunt, daughter, sister, and friend. A lifelong learner and genuinely curious soul, she earned her Associate in Science degree from Quinsigamond Community College later in life. She then practiced as a Registered Nurse at Hubbard Regional Hospital and Millbury District Nursing Society, finding her greatest joy there before retiring.

Nancy is survived by her daughter and best friend, Heidi G. Heck of Oxford; daughter-in-law, Gina (Surabian) Heck of Auburn; brother, Robert E. Cutting and his wife, Linda of Sebastian, Florida; brother-in-law, Albert Heck of Eastham; sister-in-law, Cindie Cutting, of Barre; and many nieces, nephews, extended family, and friends. In addition to her parents, husband, and children, two brothers, Richard H. and David R. Cutting, predeceased her.

Music was a big part of Nancy's life. She learned to play piano in her youth, and saved money from her first job at Dunkin' Donuts to buy an organ. She was a life-long student of music, focused mostly on piano and flute, and was an active member of the Appletree Arts Flute Choir. She also played flute with the family band, the Ragg Mopps, for many years, with her husband on keyboard, her father-in-law Louis on trumpet, and her mother-in-law Pearl on drums.

Nancy was also an avid outdoor enthusiast and was a member of the Green and Appalachian Mountain clubs. Every summer the family would take a camping vacation in Vermont or New Hampshire to spend time together in nature hiking, swimming, and canoeing. One of the highlights of Nancy's life was a 3-week hiking trip to the Swiss and Austrian Alps with Bob. She also enjoyed traveling and exploring with her daughter Heidi; together, they would hunt for letterboxes in local parks, attend all kinds of events across New England, and even explore far off locales around the world.

After they retired, Nancy and Bob continued to explore together by taking up the RV lifestyle. They loved driving cross-country in their Class A motorhome, especially to the southwestern U.S. Together they had many adventures—and often misadventures—which Nancy meticulously journaled and photographed. She spent hours capturing these memories through scrapbooking, another passion—and talent—of hers.

Nancy carried a love of the creative arts throughout her life. She organized and led craft classes for children and adults, and instilled this same appreciation into her family. Nancy was an avid quilter, designing many custom-made works of art that she often gifted to family and friends. She never ran out of ideas and always wanted more time and space to pursue her various hobbies.

Nancy could invariably be found with a book in her hand, spending time reading, writing, and deeply thinking. She and her daughter Nancy Diana, a writer and poet, loved to discuss the mysteries of the universe together for hours. Nancy also liked baking and made many delicious homemade treats over the years. Her son David enjoyed spending time with her in the kitchen, a shared joy that eventually inspired him to become a professional chef. The family spent many happy hours together laughing and playing games around the kitchen table.

Relatives and friends are invited to a period of calling hours Sunday, March 23rd from 11 am to 1 pm followed by her funeral service in the MERCADANTE FUNERAL HOME & CHAPEL, 370 Plantation St., Worcester. A memorial dinner will follow at Pleasant Valley Country Club in Sutton, Massachusetts. Burial in New Howard Cemetery, Sutton will be private. In lieu of flowers, memorial remembrances in her name can be made to Open Sky Community Services.