Vincenza 'Vincy' Rose Nagy

Vincenza 'Vincy' Rose Nagy (nee lanni) was born in Lorain, Ohio on December 2, 1934. Her parents, Domenica (nee Fiorvanti) and Emidio lanni raised five beautiful daughters in a little white house on 21st St. The eldest was Rose, followed by Gina, Mary, Vincy, and the youngest, Clara. Vincy died peacefully Saturday, July 19, 2025 in Boynton Beach, Florida, in the loving care of her daughter, Helen. She is survived by her children, Robert Nagy, Helen Evangelista, and Gina Nagy-Burns; as well as her daughter-in-law, Karen Holcomb; son-in-law, Christopher Burns; her grandsons, Gregory and Alexander Evangelista; and her sister, Clara James. As a young person, Vincy was a highly creative self-starter. Her first job was at age 13, dipping chocolates for Faroh's Candy on Broadway. She would use her earnings to buy fabric and spent hours making her own clothing. At 16, Vincy was named runner-up in the Miss Lorain beauty pageant, she proudly walked the runway wearing a gown of her own design. Vincy had a beautiful lyric soprano voice and remained a member of a church choir throughout her life, beginning with the choir at St Joseph's. Vincy and her husband, Robert Nagy, found each other through a shared love of classical music. He was also an aspiring singer, a tenor, whose future led him to a 30+ year career singing with the Metropolitan Opera Company. In 1954, Vincy and Robert married. Within a year, they packed up their life in Lorain and together with their 1 year old son in tow, headed eastward. From a walk-up apartment in Hollis, Queens, Robert took the train into New York City for rehearsals and performances at the Met, and Vincy began to design their home life. Eventually, they bought a house on Long Island, and the family blossomed from one child to three. The Nagy house was always filled with music, and Vincy's loving touch made it a place where all things were possible. In the 70's, Vincy taught art classes at St. Joseph's middle school in Garden City, New York. She was ahead of her time, creating projects that incorporated found objects and recycling. She was entrepreneurial and started a business with a friend, hand-making decorative pillows that were sold in area department stores. She also managed an art gallery; selling and restoring artwork. In 1982, she launched an antiques and estate sale business with her daughter, Helen, and later published a successful instructional book on the subject. In 1987, when Robert retired from his career, he and Vincy returned to Ohio. They purchased a house in North Ridgeville and relished bringing loved-ones together in celebration. Music was always the centerpiece of these gatherings, whether it was her husband belting out a high-C in the middle of the living room or her children singing and playing the guitar. During her years in North Ridgeville, Vincy involved herself in many new ventures. She took courses in creative writing at Lorain Community College and served on the Arts Council. In 1992, she initiated a support group for mothers at St. Peter's Church (North Ridgeville) called The Mother's Club. Weekly meetings became a safe space for mothers of all ages to come together and speak freely about their experiences. The Mother's Club and its members were something Vincy held very close in her heart, the club continues to this day. Vincy also wrote poetry and songs. Some were humorous, like 'Frankie and Fanny': a song about two frogs who croaked loudly in the pond outside her window. Others were more serious and heartfelt explorations about relationships, faith, and aging. In her later years, she took pleasure in designing one-of-a-kind pieces of jewelry. They were artful creations fashioned from vintage crystals and beads. Throughout Vincy's life her heart and faith guided her. Those who knew her well and those who just met her could feel this in her presence. She always spoke about the power of the 'creative spirit' and how it infused life with joy, meaning, and purpose. She inspired this belief in everyone she knew, especially in her children. She will be missed beyond measure by all of us who were touched by her kindness, passion, and beauty. The family will receive friends at Reidy-Scanlan-Giovannazzo Funeral Home, 2150 Broadway, Lorain (440) 244-1961 on Monday, July 28 from 4 to 7 p.m. Closing prayers will be held at 10:20 a.m. at the funeral home on Tuesday, July 29, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m. at St. Peter's Parish, 3655 Oberlin Avenue, Lorain, Ohio, with Fr. Craig M. Hovanec, Pastor, officiating. Christian entombment services will be held at Calvary Cemetery in Lorain. Memorial donations may be made at the funeral home in Vincy's memory to Catholic Charities Cleveland Diocese. Online condolences and gifts of sympathy may be shared with the family by using www.rsgfuneralhome.com.