Nancy Walters

Nancy (Murphy) Walters, 85

WORCESTER - Nancy (Murphy) Walters, 85, died after a long illness, on Saturday, December 21st, in her home at 17 Briarwood Circle where she lived with her husband, the Rev. Robert Carroll Walters. Born in Toledo, Ohio, Mrs. Walters lived in many parts of the country and established a national reputation as a retail director for museum merchandising and reproductions at the Ford Museum in Dearborn, Michigan, Sturbridge Village and Higgins Armory.

She leaves her daughter, Jody (Walters) Bachand and her husband, David, of Charlton, MA, her two sons, James Phipps and his wife, Susan of Westford, MA, Craine Walters and his wife, Katie, of Jackson, MI, and a daughter in law Diane Phipps, of San Antonio, TX. Her son, William Phipps died in 1997. She also leaves thirteen grandchildren: Julie Hayden of North Brookfield, MA, Kelly Robic of Thomery, France, Brandon Phipps of Austin, TX, Noelle Gardiner of Cibilo, TX, Trevor Phipps of Stephenville, TX, Amber Safari of San Antonio, TX, Ashley Forman of Winchester, VA, Stephanie Hitchcock of The Woodlands, TX, Jamie Gustufson of Pepperell, MA Kasey Gomez of Westford, MA, Matthew Bachand of Charlton, MA, Megan Bachand of Southbridge, MA and Brennan Walters of Westborough, MA as well as twenty-two other grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Her family was her most treasured joy and greatest accomplishment.

She will be remembered for her generosity and many, usually anonymous, acts of kindness and in her last weeks, her uncomplaining, buoyant courage. Although her strength and faculties diminished, there remained to the very end her concern for the welfare of others and sense of joy.

There are no calling hours. A funeral with Requiem Eucharist will be at St. Mark's Episcopal Church, Zero Freeland Street, Worcester, on Saturday, January 4 at 11 am, followed by a private interment. It was Mrs. Walters' wish that instead of flowers donations be made to St. Mark's Church where they will be forwarded to the Episcopal Relief and Development Fund for the digging of a well in a region needing water. Those who wish to mourn Nancy will do so by imitating her acts of courtesy, kindness and generosity.