Jeannette P. Nygaard, 95, of Natick, died Sunday May 19, 2013. Born in Worcester, MA in 1917 she graduated from Classical High School in 1935 and from Framingham State College in 1939 as vice president of her class.
After graduating she taught school in Peterboro, NH, a delightful little town of 1,000 at the time. Winters were frigid and her 1-1/2 mile walk to school “paralyzing.”
In August 1941, after teaching for two years, she married Walter Nygaard of Saugus, MA, whom she met at Worcester Polytechnic Institute. The next day, they moved to New Castle, PA, where Walter was working for Combustion Engineering Co. They lived there for five months, than began a gypsy life traveling the eastern United States from power plant to power plant, keeping electricity flowing as part of the War effort.
In 1947 Jeannette and Walter settled in Natick
She was a member of the First Congregational Church from 1948 onward, where she was active in the Woman’s Union, as a Deaconess, and a Sunday school teacher. She was also active as an alumna of Framingham State and with the Red Cross.
Girl Scouting was a very important part of her life. From age ten into her thirties she was involved as a scout leader in Worcester, Massachusetts, Chattanooga, Tennessee, New Castle, Pennsylvania, and Natick, Massachusetts.
In the late 1960s, she returned to teaching. For the next 17 years, she taught at the middle school level in Framingham, while also obtaining her Masters Degree at Simmons College.
She enjoyed ancient history, exercise, gardening, and walking, as well as bicycling and cross-country skiing with Walter and friends.
She was the devoted wife of the late Walter O. Nygaard. Loving mother of Diane Nygaard of Ashland, Lloyd Nygaard of Oregon & Dennis Nygaard & his wife Ann of Medway. Cherished grandmother of Lindsey, Leanne & Eric. Caring sister of the late Frances Bolt, Donald Palmer & his wife Frieda of Florida. Also survived by many nieces & nephews.
Memorial services will be held Saturday at 11:00 AM at the First Congregational Church, 2 East Central St. Natick, 01760. Reverend Victoria Guest will officiate.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Jeanette’s name may be made to Beacon Hospice, 529 Main St., Suite 101 Charlestown, MA 02129.
Burial will be at Dell Park Cemetery in a private ceremony.