Nancy was born on October 31, 1960, in Traverse City, Michigan, to Paul and Agnes “Ronnie” (Finlaw) Green.

She graduated from Ferris State College with a bachelor’s degree in accounting. On April 23, 1988, she married James “Jim” Farese in Peapack, New Jersey. Together, Nancy and Jim built a life centered around their family and raised three children, Katherine “Kate,” Michael, and Ryan.

Born and raised in Northern Michigan, Nancy later made her home in New Jersey, where she and Jim raised their family. In 1999, she and Jim founded Northport Partnership Management, a business they proudly built and operated for more than 10 years. After returning to Northern Michigan, Nancy once again made a home in the place where she grew up and loved so deeply.

Nancy loved being active and, even more, the friendships that came along with it. She loved the game of golf and treasured time on the course with friends and family. She enjoyed biking the roads of Leelanau County with her “Beautiful Ladies of Leelanau,” being on the water, walking “The Point,” snowshoeing with Cooper, and cross-country skiing. She was equally happy behind the wheel of her convertible with the top down or calling into KLT Radio to try to win the prize of the day. Most importantly, Nancy was an avid—and unapologetically devoted— Green Bay Packers fan. Sports remained an important part of Nancy’s life, whether it was supporting her children’s teams, Kate’s Marquette Golden Eagles, or the various New York teams she adored as a testament to her love for her husband, Jim. With that, Nancy was especially excited to celebrate the New York Knicks’ recent NBA Finals championship.

Nancy had an incredible attention to detail and a particular love for numbers, spreadsheets, statistics, and keeping score. That talent was perhaps never more apparent than at her sons’ baseball games, where she could always be counted on to keep the book and the stats.

Nancy also had an easygoing nature and a remarkable ability to roll with whatever life put in front of her. Those closest to her would be hard-pressed to remember many times she was genuinely angry. She loved her family and friends, valued time spent together, and was almost always game for whatever came next—especially if it sounded like something “F-U-N.”

Nowhere was Nancy’s enthusiasm

October 31, 1960 – October 4, 2026 and devotion more apparent than in the way she supported her children. Whether it was a sporting event, an accomplishment, or one of life’s big decisions, she was always there. She was extraordinarily proud of Kate, Michael, and Ryan and supported each of them wholeheartedly in whichever path they chose.

Nancy was also the driving force behind keeping Farese family traditions alive. She carried on Grammie’s Spaghetti Sundays— with Grammie’s sauce, of course—and made sure lamb and peach salsa remained a birthday staple. At Christmas, she spent countless hours baking and meticulously decorating several varieties of Christmas cookies and was always a good sport about the annual undertaking of organizing, displaying, and eventually packing away the family Christmas village.

And then there was Halloween. With a birthday on October 31, Nancy had every reason to embrace the holiday, and she did. One year, she even insisted on a family Wizard of Oz costume, naturally casting herself as Glinda the Good Witch.

Few things brought Nancy more excitement and joy than becoming a grandmother. She absolutely adored her granddaughter, Riley (Michael and Katrina), and embraced her new role wholeheartedly, treasuring every moment they were able to spend together.

Nancy is survived by her husband of 38 years, James; her children, Katherine (Greg Zenn) Farese, Michael (Katrina) Farese, and Ryan Farese; her beloved granddaughter, Riley; her siblings, Barbara Blum and William (Michelle) Green; her dear friend, Maria Putt; and many beloved family members and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Paul and Agnes “Ronnie” Green, her brother-in-law, Glen Blum, and Albert and Patricia Farese, parents of Jim Farese. A funeral Mass will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, October 15, at St. Mary’s Church in Lake Leelanau, with visitation beginning at 10:00 a.m. and the Rosary to be prayed at 9:30 a.m. Father James Siler will serve as celebrant. Burial will take place at a later date at Holy Cross Cemetery in Basking Ridge, New Jersey. Memorial contributions may be directed to St. Mary’s School, P.O. Box 340, Lake Leelanau, MI 49653, or through the school’s giving page, and/or to Mass intentions.

Condolences may be shared with the family through Martinson Funeral Home. Arrangements are with Martinson Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Leelanau.