By Joy Bergmann
With her infectious laugh and caring spirit, Nancy Zapata was one of those rare people who transform transactions into opportunities for love and connection. Every single day. For decades.
“She knew everyone’s name, she welcomed everybody in,” said Jake, the manager of the Starbucks at 75th and Broadway where Nancy worked as a barista for 10+ years; she’d been with the company for more than 22. “If somebody was having a bad day, she’d give them a hug. She was the mama bear, the heart and soul of our store.”
On Monday morning, Nancy told her regulars, “You have a great day, all right!” for the last time. She collapsed in the store, was rushed to the hospital and passed away later that day. Nancy was 45 and is survived by her husband of 25 years and three children — an adult daughter and two younger sons. A GoFundMe drive has been started to help support the family.
Devastated, her colleagues closed the store for two days. The team came together to help each other process the loss and share stories with the assistance of a grief counselor. “It was pretty traumatic for everyone,” Jake said.
When the store reopened on Thursday morning, customers queued up for their coffee spotted a community memorial to Nancy, inviting people to express their remembrances. Among the posted messages:
“You will be so missed. You brightened my days.”
“She brought daily joy to me, my wife and our two little girls.”
“You are so missed. Thank you for reminding me to slow down and breathe.”
“Nancy was always a bright light at the start of the day.”
“Every ‘great day’ I have will be in your honor, Miss Nancy.”
One woman’s eyes filled with tears as she realized the candles and flowers were for Nancy. “She was special. We’d talk about her kids. She knew all the regulars,” said Vivian. “Everybody loved her.”
“She made us feel like family. From the moment we met, we were like instant sisters. She cared about you and your situation and your life,” said another long-time customer, her voice breaking. “She took care of business, but with kindness and caring and grace.”
An Upper West Sider, Nancy shared a community inside and outside the store.
“She lived in Amsterdam Houses and walked to work every day, rain, snow, heat, whatever,” said Vanessa, a Starbucks district manager who knew Nancy well. “She was a big presence…truly a passionate person who cared so deeply about people.”
And therein lies the lesson many take away from Nancy’s too-brief, but influential life: Share the love. If someone brightens your day, tell them so. If a favorite song comes over the stereo, sing along and invite others to dance with you. If an open-hearted gesture might break a spell of loneliness for someone, reach out. Connect.
“Her husband told me she always said ‘have a good day and I love you’ before she left home,” said Vanessa. “We never know what the day will bring. We’ve got to live life to the fullest.”
Like Nancy did.
When my wife and I first moved to the upper West side, Nancy made me feel right at home. I will miss her infectious attitude.
Wow. I missed knowing her but she obviously had a wonderful impact on those who were fortunate to cross her path. Thanks, Joy, for this story.
I was so shocked and saddened to hear about our beloved Nancy’s sudden passing when I went to Starbucks after finally reopening today. Her warmth and welcoming presence will be sorely missed. My condolences to her family, the other Starbucks staff, and to the neighborhood at large who knew and loved her. There is a lovely tribute to her in the store. I’m still trying to process this.
Nancy was a partner with me at 88th and Broadway, my first Starbucks store. She was so friendly and caring and a great person to work with. I enjoyed all the time I spent with her and I am devastated to hear this news. RIP Nancy, you will be missed by a lot of people.
I have never met Nancy. But this beautiful article and warm, heartfelt comments made me feel again at home on UWS. Thank you, Nancy, thank you, Joy, thank you, neighbors.
Rest in peace, Nancy, people like you have a huge positive impact on our lives.
My deepest condolences to the family.
I was there on Monday and I have been searching the internet for days to find out information. I am so sad. She was so kind to everyone and she knew all the regulars. I can hear her voice saying “ have a great day.” She will really be missed.
This is so heartbreaking. Nancy brought a little light and joy to everyone who knew her. What a loss.
This just popped up on my FB feed this morning, and it made me really sad. In the eight years I lived in the Upper West Side, nobody knew my name except for the owner of the apartment building and Nancy. She would say “Hello, Michael” or “Good morning, Michael” whenever she sees me entering the store or in line for coffee. Summer or winter, she already knew what I would order and would have it ready even before I got to the counter, whether or not I was in her line. During variable weather, she would just ask me “is it hot or cold today?”, which means if I like hot or iced coffee. She really brightened my mornings. I haven’t been to the store in almost two years, but I had always looked forward to seeing her again when I eventually return. Goodbye, Nancy. You were the only person who didn’t make me feel like another nameless New Yorker. I will definitely miss you!
Thanks so much for writing about my friend Nancy was very loving and caring I am a recovering addict and she didn’t look down upon my disease of addiction because people like her. I now have 7 years 10 months 3days clean she always supporting me and tell me I’m beautiful I was shocked when I heard the news of the passing I remember the last time I saw Nancy was in the subway and she said you look so beautiful I said thank you so much she always made my day and made me smile you will be missed dearly love you Nancy my condolences to her children and husband I’m lost for words until we meet again Nancy know that you made a difference in my life
That is such sad news. I used to ride at Flywheel on the next block and seeing Nancy after class three times a week always welcome. The first time I went down to the neighborhood I stopped in to make sure she had survived the start of the pandemic and was so relieved to hear that she was OK. She will be very missed.
Rose Marie:
I’m saddened to learned from my great friends Joceline, and Marie Marthe that Bambi went to have Christmas in Heaven.
So beautiful! Never knew Nancy but this story just warms my heart. Your light shines on, Nancy.
I am so saddened.she always was so nice even when there was a big crowd.
Very sad & upsetting. A wonderful woman who took time to make everyone feel like a cared for special friend. Deepest condolences to her family. R.I.P.
I have never met Nancy, but the beautiful tributes brought tears to my eyes. In a big, impersonal, city like New York, it’s great that there are people, like Nancy, who make it a point of learning customers’ names and greeting them. It makes a world of difference.
This is truly devastating. Nancy’s warmth and smile touched so many of us and she will be greatly missed. My condolences to her family and will donate to and share the Go Fund Me. Thank you Joy.
Sad news & deepest sympathy to her family. She made me feel quickly at home when living a few months on UWS. This was a favourite coffee and writing stop. May those mourning her find comfort knowing she made a difference to lives.
Good morning Zack, how are you doing darling. 😢😢😢 my only and only reason going to that store for the past decade to see her and chat with her.
Wow.
What a wonderful, positive impact she had on people.
I once emailed the Starbucks store manager stating I go to Starbucks BECAUSE of Nancy. She was so kind and remembered all the regulars, if you had multiple times she had it packed and ready.She was a phenomenal presence.
My heart goEs out to her family and coworkers.
Never went to this Starbucks. But reading this article and comments made me cry. My condolences to family, friends and coworkers. God needed to be cheered up so he took who he wanted.
If I knew the last call I received from Nancy was going to be the last time I talked to her, I would’ve kept her on the phone for hours. Her last words to me was, ‘ Nii I miss working with you and asked when I was coming to New York’. I have worked with Mama Nancy as I called her for 10years and I miss her very much. Especially when she finds positive energy in any tough situations we faced at work together. R. I. P Mama Nancy.
Very sad news. Nancy always had a smile on her face, and always greeted me by name when I would stop by the store. Thinking of her, her family, and her Starbucks co-workers.
Rest In Peace. Although I never met Nancy, from what I’ve read she was a human being at a time when it is so easy not to be one. My heart goes out to Nancy’s family and those that she touched. RIP!!!
Nancy was a light in our community! She greeted me as a regular at our local Starbucks with her warm smile and knew my order. What a tragedy that she died so young leaving behind a young family.
This is another one of my peers Blessing to you in Heaven Great person