Nancy Carlson, 86 of North Eastham died peacefully at The Terraces in Orleans on Saturday, October 24th after a long struggle with Alzheimer's disease.
Nancy was born November 25, 1933 in Pawtucket, R. I. She grew up in Seekonk Mass. with her sister Gail Hoffman of Eastham and her brother Donald Stevens of Barrington, R.I. They were children of John Alfred Stevens and Elizabeth Fernstrom Stevens.
Nancy graduated with honors from Brown University in 1955. She married Robert Paine Carlson of Riverside, R. I. in 1956 at Newman Congregational Church in Rumford, R. I. They have two sons Steven Paine Carlson of Ridgefield, Ct. and Douglas John Carlson of Hopkinton, MA. and two grandsons Andrew Paine Carlson and Connor Michael Carlson sons of Steven and Ann Farrissey Carlson in Ridgefield.
Nancy taught elementary school for 28 years in Barrington, R. I., Folcroft, PA. and at the Lynch Elementary School in Springfield, MA. She won several teaching awards including a commendation from the mayor of Springfield for innovative teaching of our political system to her young students. She had a positive influence on well over one thousand of her students. While living in Springfield and later Wilbraham she was active in Foster Congregational Church and she interviewed many aspiring candidates for Brown University.
Nancy enjoyed travel with her sister Gail. They made many Elderhostel trips in North America and to England, France, Spain and Italy. In 1996 Nancy and Robert moved to North Eastham near where they had vacationed every year since about 1960 when sons Steve and Doug were growing up. Sunken Meadow and Nauset Light were her favorite beaches. Nancy was an active hiker with the Eastham Hiking Club and other hiking groups. She loved gardening and for many years she worked on the Eastham flower Islands.
The family would like to thank the outstanding staff at the Terraces Orleans and the special team at Broad Reach Hospice for the excellent care and support Nancy received.
A private memorial gathering will take place at a later date at Truro Congregational Cemetery.
Donations in memory of Nancy may be made to the Resident Activity Fund, The Terraces Orleans, 60 Daley Terrace, Orleans MA. 02653 or to Broad Reach Hospice & Palliative Care, 390 Orleans Road, North Chatham MA. 02650.