July 8, 2011
Sullivan, Nancy
Nancy Harriet (Smith) Sullivan, 64, of Westwood and formerly of Norfolk, died Thursday, July 7, at her daughter’s home in Cambridge after a long and brave battle with cancer.
Spirited and vivacious, Nancy was delightful, encouraging, sassy, sweet, creative and extremely funny. She had an ability to make friends with anyone, the first time she met them. She loved to read, and loved laughing with her many friends. She was an innovative teacher. She was always there for her mother and her family. She was active in her church and personal faith.
Nancy was a collector – of friends, of adventures, and of sparkly, attention-getting accessories.
She loved hats. Not the usual, going-to-church hats, but hats like a big striped Cat-in-the-Hat topper, a feathered Victorian bonnet, and a huge multi-colored sombrero, to name but a few in her closet. She loved shoes so much that she requested cookies in the shape of high heels be served at her memorial service.
Even now, she is still sharing her spirit and sense of humor with us.
Survivors include her mother, Harriet H. Smith of Concord, N.H.; her daughter, Deidre Sullivan and her husband, Daniel Tao, and their son, Evan Tao, and daughter, Mia Tao, all of Cambridge; her son, Liam Sullivan, and his wife, Ilana Sullivan, of Los Angeles, CA; her brother, Kirby Smith, of Santa Barbara, CA; her former husband, Geoff Sullivan of Fairhaven. She was preceded in death by her sister, Cristine Smith, and her father, Criswell Smith.
Born on Nov. 24, 1946, in Glendale, CA, Nancy grew up in Pittsfield, N.H., where she graduated from Pittsfield High School. She spent a year abroad in high school in Paris, which would eventually lead her to earn a bachelor’s degree in French from the University of Maine at Orono.
She worked for several years as a French teacher, and became a librarian later in life. She worked at the Norfolk Public Library and at the Islington branch of the Westwood Public Library. She was a deacon at the Federated Church of Norfolk, and a member of the Westwood Book Club.
Visiting hours will be held from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday July 9 at the Folsom Funeral Home, located at 649 High St., Westwood. A funeral service will be held at 1 p.m. Sunday July 10 in the Federated Church of Norfolk, located at 1 Union St., Norfolk. Burial will be at Floral Park Cemetery in Pittsfield, N.H., at a later date.
Flowers are welcome and can be sent to either the Folsom Funeral Home, or to the Federated Church. Donations in her name can be made to the Westwood Public Library, 668 High St., Westwood, Ma., 02090.
Comments(6)
We all will so miss Nancy-God Bless her & family. You are all in my prayers.
A special friend from Medway,
–Sharon F.
Diedre and Liam,
I am so sorry for the loss of your Mom. She was a very special person to many. She and I have spent many, many hours of talking, laughing, crying and just being ourselves.Over the past 30 plus yers she has been a special friend to me and many others. She loved you both so much and was so proud of your acomplishments as I know you are of hers. I will miss her sweet smile and laughter. I know she is one of my gaurdian angels now.
dear deidre liam and family..iam soo sorry that your mom and my dear friend nancy has passed.she was a wonderful person and enriched my life.i feel so grateful that she was put in my path.she will be my new gaurdian angel.your all in my thoughts and prayers love and peace rosemary
dear deidre liam and family..please accept my condolances
your mom was a wonderful person and will be missed your allin my thoguhts and prayers love rosemary
Nancy was one of our Wacky Women Wanderers and had many friends to share our fun adventures with. She was the life of the party and loved by all and will be missed terribly.
Nancy was so lucky to have family by her side and she loved you all very much.
Dolores Sheehan and all Nancy’s travel friends.
Deidre and Liam, Sorry for the loss of your Mom.
I knew your Mom when I used to volunteer at the Islington Branch Library in high school. It was my first volunteer work experience, and I was even offered my first ‘job’ by your Mom. I was there for close to 3 years! She was such a great friend and mentor; and even when I moved to CA for college, we still kept in touch via email. The last I saw her was in 2009 when I was back in MA for break – I was able to enjoy brunch with her and catch up. It was very wonderful to see her, her smiling face, and to hear her wonderful stories! We lost touch through the last few years, but she will never be forgotten, and will always be missed! I’m so grateful to have known her.