Nancy M. Mead

WILLIAMSVILLE -- Nancy M. Mead, 85, of Timson Hill Road, died early Sunday morning, July 29, 2007, at Grace Cottage Hospital in Townshend, with her family by her side, following an extended illness.

Mrs. Mead was born in Hornellsville, N.Y., on April 7, 1922, the daughter of Pierpont and Olive (Adams) Minor.

She was raised and educated in Greenwich, Conn., graduating from Greenwich Academy. She went on to attend Southern Seminary in Luray, Va., and then Guilford (N.C.) College where she received her B.A. in education.

Mrs. Mead later graduated from Eastern Connecticut State College, where she earned her M.S. in Education, after which she received her sixth year certificate from Southern Connecticut State University.

Considered by many of her former students and peers as a teacher extraordinaire, she taught grades one through three, and middle school in East Lyme, Conn., for 30 years. Previously she had taught elementary education for three years in Honolulu, Hawaii.

Mrs. Mead was a member of the Delta Kappa Gamma Women's Educators Society.

Following her retirement, with her husband she moved to Williamsville and was a Title I teacher at the Newfane School, retiring a second time in 2005. During the summer months, she was a tutor for area children.

Mrs. Mead was an accomplished artist and enjoyed working with oils and water colors. She also loved to travel, and with her husband took many cruises and vacations in their motor home, visiting Alaska on three occasions. She mostly enjoyed time spent along the seacoast.

Of her other pastimes and interests, she enjoyed crafts, sewing, reading, gardening and animals, especially her beloved pet dogs and cats.

A faithful and devoted wife, she cherished time spent with her family.

Mrs. Mead was a member of the First Congregational Church in Newfane and was a former member of the Niantic, Conn., Community Church, where for several years she taught Sunday school.

On Aug. 21, 1945, in Greenwich. she was married to Carroll Graham Mead who survives. The couple would have celebrated 63 years of marriage together.

Besides her husband she leaves, one son, Kenneth M. Mead and wife Betsy, of Washington, D.C.; one daughter, Joyce N. VanPamelen and husband David of Williamsville; two granddaughters, Jennifer Mead and Hillary Mead, both of Washington, D.C.; and several nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by a infant son, Robert Mead.

Funeral services in celebration of her life will be conducted Sunday at the First Congregational Church in Newfane at 2 p.m., with the Rev. Chris Petrak officiating.

Burial will take place on Monday at 10 a.m. at the Vermont Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Randolph Center, with Rev. Petrak presiding at the committal services.

Friends are invited to call at the ATAMANIUK FUNERAL HOME in Brattleboro on Saturday from 7 to 9 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Mrs. Mead Memorial Library Fund, c/o Chittenden Bank, 597 Vt. Route 30, P.O. Box 28, Newfane, VT 05345, attn: Samantha L. Wilson.u