Nancy Haffey, Ed.D.

Nancy Haffey, Ed.D. 1948-2026

Nancy Haffey, Ed.D., died peacefully at home on July 4, 2026, after a long journey with dementia. Throughout her illness, she remained the strong, caring, and deeply compassionate person she had always been.

Nancy was born in Anderson, Indiana, on June 12, 1948, to Nondas and Earl Wollam. She attended school in Anderson, graduating as the valedictorian of her high school class. She then attended Indiana University, where she met her future husband, Mark, during her junior year. Nancy and Mark married in Anderson after her graduation from Indiana University. Their marriage marked the beginning of a 56-year partnership in which they shared nearly every aspect of life together—as spouses, psychologists, parents, colleagues, travelers, and each other's closest friends.

After their marriage, Nancy and Mark worked together as houseparents at a residential center for emotionally disturbed adolescents in Atlanta, Georgia. They later moved to Richmond, Virginia, where Nancy worked as a juvenile probation officer. In 1976, they moved to Boston so that both could pursue graduate studies in psychology at Boston University. Nancy earned her doctorate degree in psychology in 1981.

Following graduation, Nancy joined Valley Health Plan in Amherst, Massachusetts, later Kaiser Permanente, where she became a senior psychologist. In 1999, she established a private practice that later grew into a joint group practice with Mark, specializing in the assessment and treatment of ADHD. She remained in practice until her retirement in 2020.

Nancy was the guiding clinical spirit of the practice. She developed the assessment protocol for ADHD for both children and adults that continues to be used today. Throughout her career, she was highly sought after for her wisdom, compassion, and quiet acceptance. Former patients often returned years later, seeking her care for their own children. Her intelligence, personal grounding, and quiet acceptance profoundly influenced the lives of her patients, colleagues, and family.

Throughout her marriage, Nancy worked closely with Mark while also being his devoted partner in every aspect of their shared life. She found joy in music throughout her life, playing the piano and organ and singing in her church choir for many years. She loved to travel and treasured the adventures she and Mark shared together. Becoming a mother was one of Nancy's greatest joys, a role that she embraced with the same quiet strength and love that characterized so many aspects of her life.

Nancy is survived by her husband, Mark; her son, Eric, and his wife, Jessie; and her brother, Jerry Wollam.

Nancy will be remembered for her quiet strength, wisdom, compassion, and unwavering devotion to her family and her profession. Her greatest legacy lives in the countless lives she touched, the patients she helped, the family she nurtured, and the values she instilled in those who loved her.

A memorial service recognizing and celebrating Nancy’s life will be held at First Church in Amherst on August 15 at 2:00 PM. All are invited.

Nancy Haffey, Ed.D., died peacefully at home on July 4, 2026, after a long journey with dementia. Throughout her illness, she remained the strong, caring, and deeply compassionate person she had always been.

Nancy was born in Anderson, Indiana, on June 12, 1948, to Nondas and Earl Wollam. She graduated as valedictorian of her high school class before attending Indiana University, where she met her future husband, Mark. They married after graduation, beginning a 56-year partnership in which they shared nearly every aspect of life together—as spouses, psychologists, parents, colleagues, travelers, and each other's closest friends.

After working together as houseparents in Atlanta and later living in Richmond, Virginia, Nancy and Mark entered graduate studies in psychology at Boston University in 1976. Nancy earned her doctorate in psychology in 1981 and went on to become a senior psychologist at Valley Health Plan, later Kaiser Permanente. In 1999, she established a private practice that later grew into a joint group practice with Mark specializing in the assessment and treatment of ADHD, where she practiced until her retirement in 2020.

Nancy was the guiding clinical spirit of the practice. She developed the ADHD assessment protocol that continues to be used today and was widely respected for her wisdom, compassion, personal grounding, and quiet acceptance. Former patients often returned years later, seeking her care for their own children.

Beyond her professional life, Nancy found joy in music, playing the piano throughout her life, including for her church. She loved to travel and treasured the adventures she and Mark shared together. Becoming a mother was one of her greatest joys, and she embraced that role with the same quiet strength and love that characterized her life.

Nancy is survived by her husband, Mark; her son, Eric, and his wife, Jessie; and her brother, Jerry Wollam.

Nancy will be remembered for her quiet strength, wisdom, compassion, and unwavering devotion to her family and her profession. Her greatest legacy lives in the countless lives she touched, the patients she helped, the family she nurtured, and the values she instilled in those who loved her.

A memorial service recognizing and celebrating Nancy's life will be held at First Church in Amherst on August 15 at 2:00 PM. All are invited.

Alternate shortened version:

Nancy Haffey, Ed.D., died peacefully at home on July 4, 2026, after a long journey with dementia. Throughout her illness, she remained the strong, caring, and deeply compassionate person she had always been.

Nancy was born in Anderson, Indiana, on June 12, 1948, to Nondas and Earl Wollam. She graduated as valedictorian of her high school class before attending Indiana University, where she met her future husband, Mark. They married after graduation, beginning a remarkable 56-year partnership in which they shared nearly every aspect of life together—as spouses, psychologists, parents, colleagues, travelers, and each other's closest friends.

After working together as houseparents in Atlanta, Nancy and Mark moved to Richmond, Virginia, before entering graduate studies in psychology at Boston University in 1976. Nancy earned her doctorate in psychology in 1981. She later became a senior psychologist at Valley Health Plan, now Kaiser Permanente, and in 1999 established a private practice that grew into a joint group practice with Mark specializing in the assessment and treatment of ADHD, where she practiced until her retirement in 2020.

Nancy was the guiding clinical spirit of the practice. She developed the ADHD assessment protocol that continues to be used today and was sought after for her wisdom, compassion, personal grounding, and quiet acceptance. Former patients often returned years later, hoping she would care for their own children—a testament to the trust she inspired and the lasting difference she made in their lives.

Those who knew Nancy also knew a woman of quiet strength whose greatest gifts extended far beyond her profession. She found lifelong joy in music, playing the piano throughout her life, including for her church. She loved to travel and treasured the adventures she and Mark shared together. Becoming a mother was one of her greatest joys, and she embraced that role with the same quiet strength and love that characterized every part of her life. Whether caring for her family, her patients, or her friends, Nancy brought steadiness, wisdom, and deep compassion to those around her. Her greatest gift was helping others feel understood, accepted, and valued.

Nancy is survived by her husband, Mark; her son, Eric, and his wife, Jessie; and her brother, Jerry Wollam.

Nancy will be remembered for her quiet strength, wisdom, compassion, and unwavering devotion to her family and her profession. Her greatest legacy lives in the countless lives she touched, the patients she helped, the family she nurtured, and the values she instilled in those who loved her.

A memorial service recognizing and celebrating Nancy's life will be held at First Church in Amherst on August 15 at 2:00 PM. All are invited.

Williamsburg Funeral Home was entrusted with her burial.