NANCY ACHIN

ACHIN, Nancy (Audesse) Formerly of Wenham, passed away February 25th in the arms of her loving husband David Kellogg-Achin. Raised in Tewksbury, Nancy graduated from the Academy of Notre Dame and in 1981, Harvard-Radcliffe College. She worked at Filene's, rising quickly to become their youngest Vice President. Stellar intellect, wit, and a boundless work ethic distinguished Nancy's business career. These attributes, teamed with exceptional people skills and a smile that could light up Times Square, insured rapid success, but Nancy found her true calling to be public service. After Executive Directorship of Lowell's Girls Club, in 1990 Nancy became the first Republican to win District 5's Senate seat since her uncle 50 years before. She considered her crowning achievement to be the passage of Senate 471 guaranteeing free mammograms for low-income residents. Though Nancy's breast cancer treatment precluded reelection, she later directed the MA Board of Registration in Medicine. Knowledge of the healthcare system, as both regulator and patient, placed her atop the experts country-wide for state medical boards. Nancy also served the American Red Cross, Pan Mass Challenge and as Wenham Town Manager. Her tireless spirit will remain an inspiration to all who knew her. She survived Hodgkin's lymphoma, breast and skin cancer, open heart surgery, and a life-altering stroke. A mere mortal would have been felled by such adversity, but Nancy powered through each setback with genuine grace, and that unsinkable smile. Nancy was wonderfully complex. Collecting Napoleonic antiques with her late husband Henry, she rooted knowledgeably for the Patriots, Red Sox, and Notre Dame football. She was equally comfortable on the fields of the Pebble Beach and Greenwich Concours d'Elegance. Her intelligence was unmatched by all comers, who suffered landslide losses in Scrabble or Trivial Pursuit. She was the only person ever invited to compete on Jeopardy, who turned down the invitation due to family commitment, such were her values. In 2018, Nancy married David Kellogg in Andover, where they lived in gratitude with their dog Esm?. Never happier than when entertaining family and friends, Nancy took joy from reintegrating first her late husband's family and more recently, her own. Despite mobility issues, she cooked like Julia Child with David as faithful sous chef. It must not go without mention how many people Nancy touched with love: people she influenced, helped and even saved. This, and her unbroken spirit are her most lasting legacy. Nancy was born to Frederick Achin and Constance (Pyne) Achin; and predeceased by sisters Suzanne and Elizabeth and beloved husband Henry Audesse. Those loving and missing Nancy are her siblings Frederick Achin, Jr., Patrice Kenny, and Kristin Mazza Barnett; her aunt and godmother Patricia Pyne; numerous nieces, nephews, the family of her late husband Henry, godchildren, cousins, innumerable friends and colleagues. St. Robert Belarmine Church, Andover will host Visiting Hours Friday, March 4th, 4-8PM and an 11AM Mass on Saturday. In lieu of flowers, please consider gifts to The Boston House, the Jimmy Fund, or the Academy of Notre Dame.

Family and friends are invited to both Visiting Hours on Friday, March 4th, 4-8 PM and to the Funeral Mass to be celebrated Saturday, March 5th at 11:00 AM at Saint Robert Belarmine Church. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Archambault Funeral Home, 309 Pawtucket St., LOWELL, MA 01854.