Calantha R. Sears

Calantha R. Sears, 103
1921 - 2024
Nahant - If the residents of Nahant appear to have less spring in their step, it is because on Tuesday, December 3, 2024, our cherished mother and friend, Calantha Ruth Wilson Doane Sears, left the physical world to reunite with the love of her life, Winthrop E. Sears. Win and Calantha married in August 11, 1944. As children of the Depression and married in the midst of World War II, they knew the value of love and life.
Calantha was born at home in Nahant on Monday October 17, 1921, with the family dog under her parent's bed. No one realized then what a special occasion this truly was. Calantha, or Mrs. Sears to many, would grow up to be the most beloved resident of our small town. If you had a question about anything to do with the Town's history, you were directed to Calantha. She would not only answer your original question but would expand the story with a multitude of relationships and facts. She was not the town 'busybody', she was the town historian. She was rigorous about the facts yet knew the value of imagination.
Calantha lived her entire life in Nahant. She attended the Nahant elementary and middle schools and then on to Lynn Classical high school, from which she graduated in 1938. When she was a child, Nahant was still considered a resort town. Folks would come from near and far to escape the summer heat and to enjoy the sea breezes, salt water, and beaches of Nahant. Often, to make a little money, Calantha's parents would move the family into her grandmother's house for the summer so they could rent out their home to visitors. This would prove to be a pivotal point in her education. Her grandmother's stories will be the foundation for the creation of the Nahant Historical Society.
Over the years, Calantha was involved with many town organizations and served on many committees. One special committee she was a part of in 1974/1975/1976 was the bicentennial committee, planning all sorts of events to celebrate the country's 200th anniversary. The first act of this committee in 1975 was to create the Nahant Historical Society. Folks were looking for a depository for historical artifacts that were being kept in basements and attics. Calantha and long-time friend, Stanley Paterson, felt strongly about collecting, preserving, and sharing these artifacts, which collectively tell Nahant's incredibly rich and expansive history. And so it happened, the Nahant Historical Society (NHS) was founded on January 18, 1975, and is still going strong fifty years later.
When asked what inspired her interest in History, Calantha said it was her grandmother's bedtime stories. These did not regale adventures about pirates, princesses, and kings. These stories told the tales of Nahant residents over the years. About their comings and goings in Nahant and faraway places, their lives, travels and adventures. This was the history that excited Calantha.
If you were a child in Nahant, you got to know Mrs. Sears. She was the children's librarian both at the Nahant public library and at the Nahant schools. Teachers fondly remember the image of her lugging all sorts of books to and from the classrooms, sometimes taking time to read a story or two. This interest in people and history carried over to her volunteer work at the NHS.
Calantha was the first president of the board of the NHS and did not stop volunteering as its Curator Emerita until December 4, 2024. She was honored by history organizations and media outlets with numerous awards, but her real love was giving tours to the Johnson School students or being a 'special guest' and a classroom event or being interviewed by future historians for a class project. She loved all their questions and their desire to know more. However, when she was interviewed by adult members of the press, Calantha always managed to turn the role around and pepper the reporter with more questions than answers.
Calantha the Mom, Mrs. Sears, Calantha, Cal, aunt, cousin, dear friend, and neighbor was a most remarkable soul. You are better for having known her. She was always interested in getting to know you, making sure you became part of the Nahant 'story.' There was nothing better than spending an afternoon with Calantha over a cup of tea or coffee, listening and learning. You knew you were in the presence of a genuine, welcoming, kind soul whose goal was to learn and share the story of her hometown, SO THAT THE FUTURE MAY KNOW THE PAST.
Calantha is survived by her four daughters, Melinda, Lucy Jane, Libby, and Cindy. She leaves behind 7 grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren, and 1 great-great-grandchild, as well as a multitude of friends. She was predeceased by her husband Win, her sister Lucy, her brother Albert, and her grandchild Diane Pomeroy.
Service Information: A celebration of life will be held at the Nahant Village Church on Saturday, December 14, 2024, at 11 a.m. Arrangements made by Solimine Funeral Home. Donations may be made to the Nahant Historical Society and the Nahant Village Church. Online guestbook at www.Solimine.com.