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Nanci Jeanne Burton


Sunrise: January 14, 1956

Sunset: November 12, 2022

Nanci Jeanne (Riedel) Burton of Portsmouth passed away peacefully on November 12, 2022, following a long battle with cancer. She was 66 years old.

Nanci was born in Perth Amboy, New Jersey on January 14, 1956. She was the eldest of three daughters born to Mary Anne and Charles Riedel.

Nanci married Gregory Burton on May 2, 1987. The couple had two daughters, Brooke and Paige.

She graduated from Monmouth University with a degree in elementary education, but her heart was always in sewing. Nanci could sew anything. If you could dream it, she would make it.

For over 30 years, she owned Nanci’s Class Act, a small business specializing in custom costume design. A talented seamstress with an artist’s eye, entertainers and performers across all industries—from dancers and drag queens to bodybuilders and Barnum & Bailey clowns—sought out Nanci’s extraordinary work.

An active member of her community, Nanci founded the volunteer organization Cradock Helping Hands, was the former president of the Cradock Business Owners Association, and was instrumental in creating the Cradock skatepark. She organized holiday events such as haunted houses and Christmas parades. Other volunteer work includes Clean the Bay Day and March of Dimes.

Nanci was known for her one-in-a-million personality, creative mindset, and comedic impressions (namely, The Wizard of Oz’s Cowardly Lion). She loved the color pink, flamingos, and the New York Giants. Family and friends will miss her tremendously.

Nanci is survived by her husband of 35 years, Gregory Burton; daughter, Brooke Burton and fiancé, Mike McNealy; daughter, Paige (Burton) Walker and husband, Richie Walker; grandson, Bentley McNealy; sister, Debra Coutros and husband, Craig Coutros; two nieces, Ashley and Stephanie, and one nephew, Christopher.

She was preceded in death by her parents and a sister, Patricia Riedel.

Viewing Sunday, November 20, 2022 1:00pm - 4:00pm Metropolitan Funeral Service 5605 Portsmouth Boulevard Portsmouth, VA 23701 Service COME IN PERSON OR WATCH LIVE ONLINE Monday, November 21, 2022 11:00am Metropolitan Funeral Service Portsmouth Chapel Interment Greenlawn Memorial Gardens 3920 Airline Blvd. Chesapeake, VA 23321

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Condolences(5)

  1. reply
    Helen Pfeiffer says

    I am so sorry for your loss. You are all in my thoughts and prayers. Hang in there! ❤️

  2. reply
    Diane says

    Remembering all the good times we had Love you Nanci. Diane

  3. reply
    Linda Walsh says

    I am very sorry for your loss. Nancy amazed me how she would always make the time to keep in touch. God bless her beautiful soul. Rest in peace. No more pain which she never complained about.

  4. reply
    Mitzi Black says

    Nancy was a great friend who always made me feel welcome. We shared a lot of laughs over the years. I admired her talents. Sending my heartfelt condolences to her family in their time of sorrow.

  5. reply
    Mitzi Black says

    Nancy was a great friend who always made me feel welcome. We shared a lot of laughs over the years. I admired her talents. Sending my heartfelt condolences to her family in their time of sorrow. May she rest in peace.

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