CORNELIA VAN RENSSELAER ADAMS

1932 - 2018

ADAMS, Cornelia (Thayer) "Nina" to her family and friends, devoted wife, mother, grandmother and a staunch supporter of her beloved town of Manchester, died after a full life, on April 26. She was a resident of Manchester for 65 years. She was married to Samuel Adams, who passed away on March 4 of this year, for 66 years. Nina was born in Lancaster, MA on January 5, 1932 to Duncan Forbes Thayer of Lancaster and Priscilla McHenry of Baltimore, MD. Nina attended Radcliffe College in her early twenties and after raising her children, completed her degree in 1979, a BA in Government from Harvard College. This achievement was always one for which she was most proud. Throughout her life, Nina participated in many town activities including The Manchester Players and many town committees including the Community Preservation Committee, the Manchester Historical Society and the Republican Town Committee. She was a former member of the Board of Trustees at Landmark and Pingree Schools. She worked as a Development Officer at the Winsor School and Governor's Academy prior to her retirement. She is predeceased by her husband Sam, her sisters Priscilla Thayer and Pauline Duke. She leaves a sister Julianna Williams of Pepperell, MA and four children, Charles Adams and his wife Ann of West Roxbury, Massachusetts, Sarah Bieber and her husband Bruce of Bethesda, Maryland. Phoebe Adams and her husband Michael Fournier of West Newbury, MA and Julia Richardson and her husband Paul of Almaty, Kazakhstan. She leaves seven admiring and devoted grandchildren and a great grandchild: Daniel Bieber and Abby Bieber of St. Petersburg, Florida, Ben and his wife Gabby and son James of Dunedin, Florida, Sam Adams of Boston, Jack Fournier of Boston, Cameron Richardson and Emily Richardson of Almaty, Kazakhstan. She leaves many old and dear friends and a following admiring nieces and nephews who called her "Nini."A private celebration of Nina and Sam's lives will be held at the Essex County Club in Manchester in the summer. In lieu of flowers, the family welcomes donations to be made in her memory to the Manchester Public Library Friends, PO BOX 652, Manchester-by-the Sea, MA 01944. The family wishes to thank, from the bottom of their hearts, the many people involved in her care including Visiting Angels, Putnam Farm and the special folks at Harbor House and Care Dimensions. We will be forever grateful for their continual patience and gentle attention to Nina. For information or to send a message of condolence please visit www.campbellfuneral.com.