Anne "Nancy" Richards

1924 - 2022

Anne "Nancy" (Warren) Richards

Mason NH — Nancy Richards, aged 98, a much-loved member of the community of Mason, NH, passed away peacefully, on Friday, April 8, 2022, surrounded by family, at St. Joseph's Hospital in Nashua, NH.

Nancy was born in Boston, MA to the late James and Leslie (Cobb) Warren on April 4, 1924. She went to Ashland High School and graduated in 1942; she received her Physical Therapy training at Bouve College, earning her Bachelors of Science in Education from Tufts College in 1949, and her Masters of Education from Boston University in 1959. Nancy often mentioned that when she was a child, she hoped to be a soldier and a firefighter. In a time when these goals were largely out of reach to women, Nancy did both!

Her life of service began on September 6, 1945 when she was sworn into the United States Army at Camp Merestead, in Camden, ME. Stationed all over the world, Nancy found her calling as a physical therapist and served in California, Massachusetts, New York, Kentucky, and the Philippines. She left active service in 1948 and joined the United States Army Reserves, where she met the love of her life, Donald "Don" W. Richards, whom she married in October 1972.

Nancy was an outdoorswoman and an athlete through and through. After returning from Active Duty, she resumed playing Field Hockey on Boston 2nd Team and Northeast 3rd Team; Lacrosse on Boston 2nd Team and Squash Racquets where she was 11th in the State of Massachusetts. Later in life, Nancy was an avid follower of professional tennis.

Nancy and Don moved to Mason, NH in 1974 and built a log cabin on 15 acres of land. Ever the dedicated member of the community, Nancy joined the Mason volunteer Fire Department in 1979. She was sworn in as a state-certified firefighter a year later in 1980, as one of the first two women ever to do so in the State of New Hampshire. After over 40 years as a volunteer firefighter, Nancy retired from the Fire Department in 2021.

Nancy retired from the United States Army in 1984 at the rank of Colonel having served a total of 38 years, 8 months and 21 days in honorable and selfless service to a grateful nation. She retired from West Roxbury Veterans Affairs (VA) Hospital and Physical Therapy not long after in 1986. Her life of service, however, continued. From 1990 to 2000 she served on the Board of Selectmen, the last six years as the Chairperson. She was also serving as a member of the Mason School Board and as a Deacon of the Mason Congregational Church, United Church of Christ, at the time of her death. Before the pandemic, Nancy was a faithful regular meal server at the Nashua Soup Kitchen and Shelter, and could also be found in the church fellowship hall doing dishes after any and all events that were held there, including monthly community suppers. Whether it was leading the Board of Selectmen or rinsing dirty dishes, Nancy could always be counted on to do whatever needed to get done.

Retirement did not mean slowing down for Nancy. She worked tirelessly with the Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, Daisy Girl Scouts, Brownies, and Junior Girl Scouts. She greatly enjoyed skiing, playing squash, maple syruping, bird watching, hiking, traveling, farming, tending to the chickens, geese, dogs, rabbits, and her other backyard friends. She was an avid vegetable gardener and was known to can and freeze the bountiful fruits and vegetables that she grew. She also truly enjoyed reading to the first and fourth graders at the Mason Elementary School. They enjoyed having her read to them, too! She was constantly knitting, and left a legacy of beautiful knitted hedgehogs with the babies of Mason (and some grown-ups too!).

Nancy was predeceased by her sister Elizabeth (Warren) Stoutamire and her beloved husband Donald W. Richards.

She is survived by her sister Catharine "Cathy" (Warren) Chapman, nieces Leslie Anne Wilson, Beth Bloomquist, nephew James "Jim" Stoutamire, and six stepchildren: Mark Richards, Cheryl Richards, Lucinda "Cindy" Whitney, Todd I. Richards, Scott Richards, and Craig Richards. She is also survived by her many step-grandchildren Richard Correale, Robert Correale, Stephanie (Correale) Gill, Kristle (Whitney) Costello, Sarah (Richards) Michaud, Joshua Richards, Todd I. Richards Jr., Courtney A. Richards, Kelsey (Richards) Mendoza, Victoria Richards, Andrew Richards, Katie Richards, Meghan Richards, and Emily Richards.

A celebration of life will be held at the Mason Congregational Church on Sunday, June 5, at 1:30 PM, presided over by Nancy's friend Pastor Veronica Walsh Don, where Nancy served the community of God with faith and love.