Mrs. Nancy Vale

Nancy Vale, 89, resident of Stockbridge, MA, and New York City, passed away unexpectedly on January 29, 2021, at Berkshire Medical Center due to surgical complications. Born in Chicago, Illinois, on June 24, 1931, Nancy was the daughter of Armenian immigrants, Takvor and Zabel Kafesjian. She was preceded in death by her spouse, actor Michael Vale, in 2005, and her brother Raffi (Reggie) Kafesjian, in 2008. She is survived by her daughter, Ivy Vale, son Tracy Vale, son-in-law Rick Reil, and granddaughter Violet Reil. She is also survived by her two siblings, Yvonne Mehterian and Norma Nahigian, brother-in-law Hampar Mehterian, nieces, nephews, and cousins. Nancy received her MFA from Northwestern University, where she was awarded an acting fellowship and assistant teaching position with Alvina Krause, respected coach and head of the Theatre Department. Nancy appeared in many lead roles in the University Theatre. She continued her studies with The Acting Company in Chicago and with Lee Strasberg in New York. Nancy appeared off-Broadway and in regional theatre, which is where she met her husband, Michael Vale. Michael became well known for his iconic roles portraying 'Sam Breakstone' for Breakstone dairy products and 'Fred the Baker' for Dunkin' Donuts. Nancy and Michael were married in 1957 in New York. Nancy and husband Michael fell in love with the Berkshires in the mid 1980s when they co-owned The Apple Tree Inn in Lenox. They also renovated and reopened the former Alice's Restaurant in Stockbridge as an inn and restaurant. In recent years, Nancy taught theatre and drama-related courses for OLLI (Osher Lifelong Learning Institute) in the Berkshires. A founding member of the Performing Arts Initiative, Nancy was dedicated to providing an intensive and creative learning experience. Locally, she appeared in several staged readings, as a member of the PIP group in Hudson, NY, where she participated in the group's annual gala fundraiser for the new Hudson Hall. Nancy Vale's local credits include Women at the Wheel, Bliss Eternal, Rites of Passage, The Other Woman, and SEVEN, the documentary play by seven playwrights about women's rights. In 2018, at age 86, Nancy was thrilled to appear in a production of The Vagina Monologues in Pittsfield. Known for her timeless glamour, boundless energy, larger than life spirit, and as a generous and caring friend, a nurturing, devoted wife, mother and grandmother, Nancy will be remembered for living her extraordinary life to the fullest. Her family hopes that her youthful spirit and energy will inspire many to love and laugh as a tribute to her memory. In lieu of flowers, donations in Nancy Vale's memory can be made to The Armenia Tree Project, www.armeniatree.org or Armenia Tree Project, 400 West Cummings Park, Suite 3900, Woburn, MA 01801. A memorial & celebration of her life will take place online in the future.

Mrs. Nancy Vale

June 24, 1931 - January 29, 2021