Nancy Hanscom

SANFORD — Nancy Weston Hanscom, 92, a longtime teacher, died on Feb. 17, 2011, at the H.D. Goodall Hospital in Sanford.

She was born in Brookline, Mass., on Jan. 21, 1919, the daughter of Horace and Alice Weston. She attended Brookline Public Schools, graduated from Brookline High School in 1936 and continued her education at Boston University College of Practical Arts and Letters, graduating in 1938.

She taught school for two years at the Chandler School for Girls in Boston, then two years in Wilton, N.H. and one year in Chowchilla, Calif.

She and Ward T. Hanscom, of Sanford, became engaged in 1942. World War II intervened, and they were married on June 12, 1948. She and Ward, a recent graduate of Yale Law School, moved to Sanford, where Ward set up his law practice in 1948. They lived in two different homes in Sanford and then bought their dream home at 14 Emerson Street in Sanford, where they lived for 54 years.

Nancy continued teaching in Sanford, working at St. Ignatius Catholic School for a year. She then substituted for many years at the Sanford High School and finally became a full-time teacher there. She taught business courses at SHS from 1976 to 1991. She also taught night school classes at the high school for many years. During the last several years at SHS, she became the department head of the business department. In 1991, she retired from teaching and became a docent at Laudhome Farm in Wells for a year.

She and her family spent many wonderful summers on Square Pond, where they had a cottage. After selling that, the family purchased a summer home in Addison; during summers, Nancy would continue her education at the University of Maine in Machias.

Nancy was an avid traveler, taking trips with her family or with her husband. She enjoyed skiing, swimming, reading anything about the Civil War, playing bridge and watching the birds in her back yard.

She was an active member of the Sanford-Springvale YMCA for many years; was treasurer of the local Retired Teachers Association; served as Secretary for Dollars for Scholars; was President of the College Club; was Secretary of the Community Health Association; and participated in Teas at the Blaine House and H.D. Goodall Christmas in July festivities.

Survivors include her husband of 62 years, Ward Hanscom, of Sanford; a son, Stephen Hanscom, of Camden; a daughter, Elisabeth Hanscom, of Huntsville, Ala.; five grandchildren, Lorna Paige Coolidge, of Townsend, Mass., Henry Hanscom, of Washington, D.C., Hannah Hanscom, of Camden, Heather Sitton Baker, of Huntsville, Ala., and Jennifer Sitton Howton, of Bessemer, Ala.; six great-grandchildren, Catelyn and Natalie Coolidge, of Massachusetts, Emily and Robert Howton, of Alabama, and Zoe and Aiden Baker, of Alabama; and many nieces and nephews.

She is predeceased by her mother and father, Horace G. and Alice D. Weston, and a brother, Horace "Bud" Weston.

Funeral services were held on Friday, Feb. 25, 2011 at St. George's Episcopal Church on Emerson Street in Sanford, with Rev. Susan Murphy officiating.

To leave a message of condolence for the family, please visit www.autumngreenfuneralhome.com.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. George's Episcopal Church, 3 Emerson Street, Sanford, Maine 04073.

The Autumn Green Funeral Home at 47 Oak Street in Alfred is respectfully handling arrangements.