Family, friends, neighbors, and community members gathered for live jazz, delicious food, and remembrance at the Ashland Senior Center on the evening of June 4 to celebrate the life of Nancy Stoller Axelrod, who passed away in January following a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer. Balloons, flowers, photographs of Nancy and her husband throughout the years, and Buddha statues adorned the room.

Organized by her husband, Howard, the event brought over 100 people together from nearby and across the country who had been touched by Nancy's life. Friends traveled from as far away as California, New Mexico, Florida, and four other states to attend, joining local friends and residents in remembering a woman who left a lasting impression on the lives of those around her.

Howard credited the Ashland Senior Center staff for helping make the gathering possible. "The Senior Center was so generous in allowing us to use their facility and managing the logistics," he said. Additionally, in his introduction, he honored five members of the audience who he said were "difference makers" in his and Nancy's lives.

The celebration fulfilled a wish Nancy had expressed before her passing. "My wife wanted a celebration of life; not a funeral," Howard said. "She envisioned that maybe 10 or 12 friends would gather at our house to share a meal, but she deserved so much more." For Howard, the event was an opportunity to show the breadth of Nancy's impact. "I wanted people to know that as a Pediatric Occupational Therapist she made an incredible and lasting difference in the lives of over 2,000 children and their families. She was a remarkable professional by every imaginable measure," he said. "Additionally, she was generous with her time, a friend to all, and supportive of anyone in need. I learned so much from her and her presence. I miss my Nancy deeply. She was my North Star and the highlight of my life."

Much of Howard's attention that evening was focused on making sure everything ran smoothly, distributing programs and preparing name tags, arranging for timely delivery of food and refreshments, and helping the band with the sound check. What stood out most, however, was seeing people connect and share memories. "It felt great that people mingled and talked," he said. "People got up and met one another. I am astounded by the level of support I have received from everyone over the past 14 months. I thank each of these people from the bottom of my heart."

Howard passed around a "Photographs and Memories" album with pictures and mementos of the life the couple shared together over the past 33 years. Additionally, all of Nancy's jewelry was offered to the woman, with the request to "take as many pieces as you wish, but only what you will wear, and when you do, feel Nancy's endearing spirit in your heart." What was left will be given to the Ashland Senior Center store and a local thrift shop that donates 100% of its profits to the American Cancer Society Research Fund. Although not a fundraiser, the event raised a significant amount of money for the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network. PanCAN is an organization that provided comprehensive support and prudent guidance to Nancy and Howard throughout Nancy's ten months of illness.

Howard continues to share Nancy's legacy through many other local projects, including personally funding an international travel scholarship (the Nancy Stoller Axelrod Memorial Travel Scholarship Program) for four Ashland High School students, as well as funding an effort to bring here an Ethiopian citizen whose dream is to visit America. "Going forward, I hope to find individual and corporate sponsors to expand this program." He is also funding the restoration of a healing garden in Ashland, potentially refurbishing a local playground, and having another Children's Little Library built and installed. Other endeavors in progress include having two memorial benches constructed in Nancy's memory and turning his own yard into the "Nancy Stoller Axelrod Memorial Garden," which will be open to friends, family, and neighbors to enjoy. "Nancy loved our beautiful garden with its endless variety of trees, plants, and flowers, and the birds, bees, and butterflies that it attracted. Last year I made a commitment to making it more beautiful than in any previous year. Unfortunately, by that time Nancy was bedridden and unable to enjoy the garden.

The celebration brought great joy and comfort, but Howard acknowledged that the following days were difficult. "The days afterward were extremely lonely and depressing. The celebration of life galvanized the realization that my wife is gone, and I have since cried a thousand tears," he said. "It was an inflection point for me, and I hope it will ultimately help me with the seemingly impossible task of moving forward with my own life." He knows that Nancy would want him to continue living fully. "Nancy wanted me to be happy," he said. "But it's an endless struggle because we had such a great marriage and were so very much in love. We had a wonderful, idyllic life together, and she was an incredible and wonderful woman. For this I will be eternally grateful." Nancy was the highlight of my life, and I will never let the love we had for one another go. I will continue to honor her in every way I can. She was my music."

Howard said he remains deeply thankful for the support he and Nancy received throughout her illness. "So many people in this community "stepped up" and helped us," he said. "Neighbors, acquaintances, townspeople, friends driving up from the Cape to stay with her for an afternoon, people flying from New Mexico, Florida, North Carolina, and Ohio to take care of her and comfort her, and so much kindness and love. The neighborhood children made get-well cards for Nancy with crayons, brought balloons and flowers to the house, and created artwork messages on our driveway with colored chalk." "Get well soon, Nancy." "We love you, Nancy." "It was unbelievable." Others who barely knew the couple reached out with offers of assistance. "People from the community who were just acquaintances would call and say, 'Whatever you need, we are here 7x24 to help.'" Howard said. "I feel good about the connections."

Though he still mourns his wife every day, Howard said he will always be grateful for his life with Nancy and for the generous support shown by friends, family, neighbors, and the Ashland community.