Nancy S. Northam

Nancy S. Northam ONANCOCK - Mrs. Nancy Shearer Northam, 84, wife of Judge Wescott B. Northam and a resident of Onancock, passed away at her residence Feb. 3, 2009. Born Dec. 12, 1924, in Washington, D.C., she was the daughter of the late Dr. Joseph P. Shearer and O'Neill Byrd Shearer. Mrs. Northam was a member of St. Alban's Church in Washington, graduated from the Woodrow Wilson High School, Randolph Macon Women's College and the Johns Hopkins Hospital School of Nursing. She worked at National Institutes of Health (NIH) for four years as a registered nurse, and worked part time at the Northampton-Accomack Memorial Hospital for 24 years. Her community activities included being a member of the Holy Trinity Episcopal Church in Onancock, where she served on and was former chairwoman of the altar guild. She was a member of the Episcopal Church Women, the RMWC Eastern Shore Alumnae Chapter, and the RSVP reading program at Accawmacke Elementary School. She was a former member of the NAM Hospital Auxiliary and a former Hospice home care coordinator. Other than her husband of 52 years, survivors include two sons, Thomas L. Northam and wife Billie and Dr. Ralph S. Northam and wife Pam; three grandchildren, Weston Northam, Aubrey Northam and Travis Northam; a stepgranddaughter, Kathleen Kraft; a brother, Joseph Shearer and his wife Ann; and several nieces, nephews and cousins. She was predeceased by a sister, Mary Byrd Echeverria. The funeral will be conducted from the Holy Trinity Episcopal Church in Onancock Friday at 11 a.m. with the Rev. R.J. Johnson officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, c/o William Custis, P.O. Box 76, Onancock, VA 23417 or to the charity of one's choice. Memory tributes may be sent to the family at www.williamsfuneralhomes.com. Arrangements by the Williams-Onancock Funeral Home.