Nancy J. Anderson, who spent much of her 80 years of life caring for others as both a devoted mother and an emergency room nurse, died Sunday, May 17, 2020, in a place she loved – her home in Colchester, Connecticut.
Nancy became a nurse in 1960 after graduating from the New England Deaconess Hospital School of Nursing in Boston, and worked as a Registered Nurse for 46 years, including 37 in the emergency room at Manchester Hospital in Connecticut. Her husband of 57 years, David K. Anderson, was one of her earliest patients.
That led to their marriage in 1963, and then they welcomed Melissa, Kristen, and David into their family. Nancy was immensely proud of her children and their families – Melissa Cote and her husband, Michael, of Norfolk, Massachusetts.; Kristen Pepin and her husband Matt, of Medway, Massachusetts.; and David E. Anderson, and his wife, Sharmon Tourjee, of Wellington, Florida.
“Nona” adored her grandchildren – Matthew, Eric, and Emily Cote; Tyler, Timothy, Nicholas, and Jacob Anderson; and David, Ryan, and Sarah Pepin – and enjoyed hearing of their many adventures and accomplishments.
Nancy was born on October 24, 1939 to Elmer and Lillian Johnson in Arlington, Massachusetts., and grew up in Westwood, Massachusetts., where she graduated from Westwood High. She also attended the University of Colorado.
In addition to her nursing career, Nancy filled her days with a variety of interests. She traveled extensively with her husband, to faraway places like Sweden, Australia, and Europe, and with her family on summer vacation road trips that featured a stop at every state border sign for a photo.
Nancy loved cats, and always took good care of them in her home. They had cute names like Paws, Moose, Molly, and Barnaby.
Nancy enjoyed gardening, reading, and knitting, and was particularly fond of an annual hiking trip she took with her fellow nurses from the hospital. She always looked forward to her next cup of black coffee with one ice cube in it.
Nancy was proud of her Swedish ancestry, and she dutifully passed down the secret recipe for the family dish known simply as “glop” to her children and they have passed it down at least one more generation. Nancy was also famous for her Thanksgiving Day stuffing, and her gravy was pretty much the best in the world.
In addition to her husband and three children, she is survived by a younger sister, Beverley Krainin of Naples, Maine. She was predeceased by a younger brother, Howard Johnson.
Nancy’s caregivers in her final days, Kellee, Gail, Lynn, and Beatrice, provided the family with great assurance that beloved “Nona” was in good hands and were compassionate and understanding aides whose assistance was greatly appreciated.
The family is planning to hold a celebration of life to honor Nancy at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Masonicare. https://www.masonicare.org/
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