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1923
2018
Wheeler, Nancy Woodruff
Nancy was born on September 16, 1923 in Orange, CT, the daughter of the late Hazel Carmichael Monks and the late Stiles Dennison Woodruff and was raised on the S.D. Woodruff and Sons Seed Company farm in Orange, CT.
Nancy's ancestors originally settled in Farmington, CT in 1640, later becoming one of the original settled families in Milford / Orange in 1668. The S.D. Woodruff and Sons Seed Company being founded in 1865 by Nancy's great grandfather with her grandfather opening the New York City branch, the company later becoming Asgrow, a present-day subsidiary of Monsanto.
After graduating from Hillhouse High School, Nancy followed in her mother's footsteps by attending Wheaton College, a women's college in Norton, Mass., earning her Bachelor's degree of Entomology in 1945. Nancy was later accepted into the John Hopkins Medical School, though choose to pursue a career with the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, authoring several articles on the effects of insecticides on Connecticut crops which were selected for publication by the Journal of Economic Entomology.
Nancy remained active with Wheaton, serving a number of years on the Executive Board of the Alumni Association and receiving the Alumni Achievement Award in 2004.
Nancy later married the late Gardner E. Wheeler, Jr. in 1951, settling in Branford, Connecticut in the first house to be built on Sunset Hill. They would share their lives together for 48 years.
With her husband Gardner an active member of the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary XVII for fifty-nine years, Nancy supported as the Woman's Seaman's Friend Society of Connecticut's president from 2003 through 2009 and an honorary trustee of the non-profit organization until her passing.
An integral part of her identity, Nancy remained active in the church through her life. She was the Treasurer of the First Congregational Church of Branford for 5 years, on the Stewardship Committee, and held several other positions.
Nancy volunteered as Senior Trustee and Chairman for over 60 years to the nondenominational Pine Orchard Union Chapel, coordinating and planning the 4th of July annual parades and weddings. She also helped develop and run Summer programs of creative arts camps and swimming programs, which her four children attended every summer. Nancy led the preservation effort that resulted in the chapel's listing in the U.S. National Register of Historical Places in 2000.
Nancy is a long-time member of the New Haven Lawn Club, and a former Junior West End and Junior league member.
Nancy is survived by her children: Peter Wheeler and wife Mary Jane (Clinton, CT), Wendy Carmichael Wheeler and husband Shawn Reilly (Stony Creek, CT), Sarah Wheeler-Monyette and husband Mark (Suwanee, GA), Amy Palella and husband Charles (Ho-Ho-Kus, NJ); grandchildren: Jonathan, Erin, Alain, Charles, Andrew, Sean, Lisette, Russell, Sarah, Seth; and great-grandchildren: Jackson and Cooper.
Nancy and her late brother, Stiles Dennison Woodruff, are survived by their brother, John Ormsby Monks.
There will be a memorial service at the First Congregational Church of Branford 1:00 p.m. Saturday, September 15. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in her honor to the Pine Orchard Union Chapel or First Congregational Church of Branford. Please see her online memorial @ www.wsclancy.com.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
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5 Entries
Dear Wendy Wheeler and Shawn Reilly
We are so sorry to read this news about the loss of your very accomplished Mother, Nancy Wheeler.
Our hearts go out to you at this time of sorrow.
We will always remember meeting your beautiful Mother at the Club.
May her memory be for a blessing.
Shalom,
Sherry & Harry Sessa
September 17th, 2018
Monday at 17:50
Sheryl Sessa
September 17, 2018
Please accept my sincere condolences for the loss of of your dear Nancy. God understands the depth of our grief and pain during these times and he offers his comfort to sustain us; Psalm 94: 18, 19. May God provide the strength needed to endure.
C. Jackson
September 11, 2018
It is never easy to lose a loved one, I pray you find comfort in Gods promise found at John 6:40 which says that soon we will see all our loved ones again. My deepest condolences to the family.
M D
September 11, 2018
My sincere condolences to the family. May the God of all comfort strengthen the family during this time of deep sorrow. Those who pass on, God keeps in his memory because they are precious in his eyes. (Psalms 116:15)
Significant_other
September 11, 2018
Grief can be so hard, but our special memories help us cope. Remembering you and your loved one today and always.
September 11, 2018
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