Nancy N. Eaton of Winchester, Massachusetts passed away on June 18 at home surrounded by her loving family, following a long illness. Nancy was known for her devotion to family, her wit, fun-loving and energetic nature, generosity and selflessness. She was 83 years old.
Born and raised in Westchester County, New York, Nancy grew up in a large, loving extended family. She carried on the traditions and values that shaped her upbringing by putting family, friends and neighbors first. She was a beloved family matriarch who welcomed everyone to the cozy home she shared with her husband of 59 years, William Guerry Eaton, who died in January, 2023. In her small kitchen, Nancy poured love into gourmet feasts served at frequent and boisterous gatherings of family and friends. She nurtured long friendships by hosting elaborate, often raucous dinners, organizing lunch outings and by being a superior listener. Nancy was famous for dropping off pound cakes, banana breads, comforting soups and even full course Italian meals with precise reheating directions for friends, family and neighbors who were sick or grieving or just in a down mood. Even as she struggled during her illness, Nancy baked cookies and tea cakes for the doctors, nurses, phlebotomists and schedulers at Massachusetts General Hospital
Nancy was a master gardener, a lover of colorful zinnias, aromatic hyacinths, and peonies. She and Guerry found joy in sharing their bounty of flowers, tomatoes, green beans, peppers and other delights from their small but productive garden.
Prior to meeting Guerry, Nancy earned her associates degree from Green Mountain College in Vermont, where she completed courses in business. She then worked as an assistant to a senior vice president at the advertising giant, Jay Walter Thompson in New York City. It was there that she met and fell in love with Guerry, a co-worker, who was on leave from his undergraduate studies in Boston. After marrying in Nancy's hometown of Ardsley, New York, the couple settled in Winchester to start their family. Nancy devoted decades to raising her two children, encouraging their pursuits, cheering at their athletic events and plays and volunteering at their schools. She uplifted the value of hard work and required that her children display respect for teachers. But she also encouraged mischief-making, relishing the few days each year when she called her kids in sick from school to take trips to swim at Crane Beach in Ipswich or sightsee in Boston.
After her children left for college, Nancy worked as a receptionist at the assisted living community in Winchester, Country Club Heights. She loved learning about the residents' lives and listening to their concerns. Out of respect for the residents, she made a point to dress impeccably for her job, as, she noted, she was often the first person residents interacted with each morning. Upon retirement, Nancy and Guerry journeyed to Ireland, Italy, England and other destinations. Ogunquit, Maine was the couple's happy place. They returned there every summer for more than three decades.
Nancy excelled at grandmothering. With her grandkids, she played catcher in backyard baseball games, hopped on scary amusement park rides, floated on the swan boats in Boston Common and built elaborate sandcastles in Ogunquit. She organized outings in Boston tailored to the interests and sensibilities of each of her four grandchildren, whom she adored. In the rare moments that Nancy rested, she savored a cup of hot tea and a British mystery novel.
She leaves her children, Susan E. Eaton and her partner, Frederick Kimberk of Newton and Manchester by the Sea; a son, William C. Eaton and his wife, Susan M. Eaton, of Westford; her grandchildren, William S. Eaton Kramer and Eli Eaton Kramer, Meredith Eaton and Siobhan Eaton; brothers Dennis Noschese (Margot) of Shreveport, Louisiana and Louis Noschese (Margueritte) of Woodbury, Connecticut; many nieces and nephews and beloved friends and neighbors.
Funeral Services are private. In lieu of flowers, Nancy said, "people should do whatever they want to do." In other words, she encouraged loved ones to donate to a charity of their choice, or she said, they can "just go enjoy themselves."