Nancy B. Landon

Nancy Bachenheimer Landon, owner and proprietor of the Brewster Bookstore in Brewster, and childrens book buyer for Toy Castle and Toy Kingdom locally, passed away at home, Wednesday, March 9, 2011. She was 74. Mrs. Landon grew up in Flushing, N.Y., and received a bachelor of arts degree in English from the University of Rochester in 1958. She married Dr. John Landon in August 1958. She taught high school English in Arkport, N.Y., for a year before moving to Maryland, where she taught for two years at Suitland High School in Suitland, Md. In 1961, she started a family, balancing the raising of her children with work on community causes. She served on the board of Suburban Maryland Fair Housing, nurtured her love for children by working on the Board of Directors of the Pierce Warwick Adoption Agency, and supported her children by being active in school parent teacher associations. Her community service continued throughout her life, with her most recent service on the Board of Capital Book Share in Washington, D.C. In addition to her work with these community organizations she was a lifelong advocate for animals, supporting many animal welfare charities, and caring for a series of rescue golden retrievers. Mrs. Landon had a deep love of childrens literature, which she shared widely. In 1979, she began working as a childrens book buyer for a Potomac toy store, Toys Etc., now known as Toy Castle. This began a 30-year career dedicated to choosing books for children. In addition to her work in Maryland, she opened her own bookstore in Brewster, in 1982. Mrs. Landon recommended and donated childrens books to libraries at St. Mark Presbyterian Church in Rockville, Md., and the Brewster Ladies Library in Massachusetts. Both of these efforts were as a memorial to Martha Landon ONeill, her daughter, who died of cancer in 1993. Mrs. Landons love of books never stopped through her battle with ovarian cancer, and in her last days she was still reviewing and ordering books for three stores, including her own. Throughout her life, Mrs. Landon balanced her work with devotion to her family. Survivors include John Landon, her husband of 52 years; three children, Dr. David Landon of Walpole, Katherine Landon Cathey of Holly Ridge, N.C., and Peter Landon of New York, N.Y.; her mother, Sylvia Bachenheimer of Potomac, Md; and six grandchildren. A memorial service will be held Wednesday, March 16, at noon, at St. Mark Presbyterian Church, 10701 Old Georgetown Road, Bethesda, Md. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Brewster Ladies Library, 1822 Main St., Brewster, MA 02621 or to the Animal Rescue League of Boston-Brewster Shelter, 3981 Rte. 6 A, East Brewster, MA 02631. Please view and sign the family guestbook at www.pumphreyfuneralhome.com.