Nancy Pell Hayden

1941 - 2025

Nancy Pell Hayden

Marlborough, NH - Nancy Pell Hayden, known affectionately as "Pook" or "Pooky" died peacefully at her home in Marlborough, New Hampshire on June 12, 2025, surrounded by love.

Pook was a vibrant, creative spirit-funny, fiercely devoted, and infallibly generous. Over the more than 50 years she lived in her grandparents' farmhouse in Marlborough, she dedicated herself wholeheartedly to her family, her friends, the land, and her community.

A talented gardener, fabulous cook, voracious reader, and aspiring writer, Nancy brought passion and joy to everything she did. She was deeply involved in civic life, serving on many boards and community groups, including the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation, Historic Harrisville, Keene Rotary, the Monadnock Conservancy, and many more. She helped organize the beloved Harrisville Zucchini Festival, ran for the New Hampshire State Senate, and championed land conservation through her work with the Monadnock Conservancy-ultimately placing her own land in conservancy.

Nancy was a tireless volunteer for the United Way of Cheshire County and countless other causes. In recognition of her unwavering commitment to the community, she was honored as Citizen of the Year by the Keene Chamber of Commerce in 2003.

Born on May 21, 1941, in Glen Cove, New York, Nancy was the daughter of John Nelson Borland Pell and Nancy Blagden Pell. After her father's death when she was six, she was raised in Hamilton, Massachusetts by her mother and stepfather, Francis "Hooks" Burr with her sister, Alice Pell, and brother, Sam Burr. She graduated from Radcliffe College with a degree in English.

In addition to her sister Alice, brother Sam (Eugenie Doyle), Nancy leaves behind devoted family members: her daughter Lisa Hayden (Jeff Guthertz); her son Nelson Hayden (Gloria Hayden), and their children Joshua and Sabrina; and her son Sam Hayden and his daughter Gabrielle. She is also survived by her niece Nora Doyle-Burr (Robbie Webber) and their children Wesley and Evelyn; her nephew Silas Doyle-Burr (Kristie) and their children Hooks and Lochlan; and her nephew Caleb Doyle-Burr (Maya) and their children Walker, Mason and Oliver.

Nancy faced two battles with primary central nervous system lymphoma with courage and grace. Her family is profoundly grateful for the extraordinary and compassionate care she received at Dartmouth Hitchcock, Cheshire Medical Center, and in her final weeks, from Home Healthcare, Hospice and Community Services (HCS).

Nancy's legacy lives on in the many lives she touched, the land she loved, and the deep roots she helped plant in her community.

In recognition of who she was, a giver much more than a receiver; the family requests in lieu of flowers, people consider donations to The Monadnock United Way, the Keene Rotary or any charity of choice.

In the fall, there will be a memorial service, date and format to be announced later. Stay tuned. There is more Pook to come…