By Brittany Amalfi

For 34 years, Howard Axelrod lived a life full of curiosity, creativity, and adventure with his wife, Nancy. On Jan. 13, Nancy Stoller Axelrod passed away from pancreatic cancer at 73, and now Howard’s mission is to ensure that her memory and her story live on while making an impact.

Nancy, whom Howard describes as a “remarkable woman - modest, humble, and caring,” was known for her kindness, intelligence, and adventurous spirit. She traveled to over 85 countries on 6 continents with her husband. She was someone who made friends easily and left a lasting impression on those around her. “She was the highlight of my life for 34 years,” Howard said. “My world got larger the minute I met her and never stopped growing.”

Nancy graduated from the prestigious Sargent College of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences at Boston University. As a Pediatric Occupational Therapist, she practiced for 10 years at various rehabilitation facilities in the Boston area before becoming the first Pediatric Occupational Therapist hired by the Lowell School System in Lowell, Massachusetts. She practiced there for 35 years. Nancy was held in high esteem by her colleagues and was known for her intelligence, intuitiveness, exceptional technical and creative skills, and her caring support of her young clients. During her career, she helped over 2,000 children and their parents live better lives. Pediatric Occupational Therapy was more than a career for Nancy. It was where her heart took her, and she derived great personal satisfaction from being able to help children and their families. Beyond work, she was a creative influence at home and an enduring source of inspiration to her husband.

Nancy encouraged Howard’s passions for writing, travel, photography, and gardening. The couple shared a love of exploring new places and cultures, often returning to coastal Florida, where they spent the last 10 winters enjoying the beach, local dog parks, nature preserves, and music and cultural events.

Nancy’s life, however, took an unexpected turn despite her strong commitment to health. At 72, she had no underlying conditions, took no medications, exercised regularly, and had followed a vegetarian diet for 30 years. She never smoked, drank, or used drugs. Additionally, she had no family history of cancer. “She would be the last person I thought would get ill,” Howard said.

Pancreatic cancer is known as a “silent killer,” and Nancy’s illness started with subtle, easily overlooked symptoms. Pancreatic cancer is difficult to detect early, with vague signs that can easily be mistaken for less serious conditions. By the time many patients receive a diagnosis, the disease has already advanced. “It disguises itself,” Howard said. “People wait too long because the symptoms seem minor. Early detection increases one’s treatment options and potential outcomes.”

In 2025, the rate of new cases of pancreatic cancer was 13.8 per 100,000 men and women per year. (National Cancer Institute, 2026). The average lifetime risk of pancreatic cancer is about 1 in 56 in men and about 1 in 60 in women. (American Cancer Society, 2026).

After multiple doctor visits, scans, and tests, Nancy was diagnosed with stage 4 metastatic pancreatic cancer. For most patients, including Nancy, treatment options are limited at that stage. Howard said they attended more than 115 medical appointments as they navigated her care over a one-year period. Chemotherapy, one of the primary treatments available, proved especially difficult. “It’s the most powerful tool they have,” he said. “And it really took a toll on her.”

In her final months, Nancy was basically housebound. But even then, her warmth and spirit still found a way to shine through. Friends visited from all over the country, and this warmed her heart, even though she was sick every day. She suggested to Howard, as she adored children, that they install a Little Free Library for kids outside their home. So, Howard got to work and had one built outside their home, positioned so she could watch from the living room window as neighborhood children stopped by and picked out books. After her passing, Howard added a memorial plaque in her honor.

Today, that small library stands as one of many ways Howard is keeping her memory alive. “My goal is to fulfill my wife’s wishes to live on,” he said. In Ashland, where Howard has lived for more than 40 years and Nancy for over three decades, he is working on several community efforts in her name. Plans include a memorial bench in town, a project to upgrade a local “healing garden,” and a travel scholarship for students inspired by Nancy’s love of exploring the world. He is also supporting efforts to help communities in Cuba, a place the couple visited together and loved. Howard is also hosting a free jazz concert at the Ashland Community Center on June 4 from 6-8 p.m. The event is free and open to the public, and people are encouraged to come, enjoy light refreshments, and listen to some fantastic music.

Howard plans to spread her ashes in places that were meaningful to her, from Florida beaches to places she cherished in Ashland and Cape Cod, where she vacationed with her family. Through it all, he hopes to raise awareness about pancreatic cancer, a disease he describes as “taking no prisoners.” “It’s on the rise, and no one really knows what causes it,” he said. “I don’t want people to ignore the early symptoms.” He urges others, especially as they get older, to seek medical attention if something feels off—even if it turns out to be nothing. “Better to check and be wrong,” he said.

While the loss remains profound, Howard continues to channel his grief into purpose—honoring Nancy not only through memorials and projects, but by sharing her story. “She was my wife, muse, best friend, and the catalyst of personal growth in my life,” he said. In remembering her, he hopes people will not only recognize the quiet danger of pancreatic cancer, but also the enduring impact one life can have on a community.

Nancy Stoller was, without a doubt, a force of a woman, and she created a legacy of kindness and inspiration. One that will live on forever in the hearts and minds of all who knew her.