Nancy Hayden

Hayden Nancy (nee Smith) Feb. 16, 1925 - Aug. 6, 2025 It is with great sadness that we share that our beloved mother, Nancy Smith Hayden, passed away peacefully on August 6, 2025 at the age of 100 at White Horse Village in Newtown Square, PA. The daughter of Claude C. and Mary Roberts Smith, Nancy was born on February 16, 1925, in Philadelphia. She grew up in Swarthmore, PA, the youngest of four children. Her family spent many summers together in Buck Hill Falls, PA. Nancy graduated in 1943 from George School in Newtown, PA and received her bachelor's degree in economics from Swarthmore College in 1946. While attending Swarthmore, she met her future husband, Robert ("Bob") G. Hayden. They were married in July 1946 under the care of Swarthmore Friends Meeting and were longtime residents of Swarthmore before moving into the retirement community of White Horse Village in 2005. Nancy was predeceased by her husband, Bob, in 2012, and their eldest daughter, Anne Peters (Ted) in 2019. She is survived by her four children, Joan Taylor (Michael), Patty Lawrence (Pat), Barbara Lewis (David) and Robert G. Hayden, Jr. (Carolyn) as well as fourteen grandchildren and twenty great grandchildren. In February of this year, Nancy celebrated her 100th birthday, surrounded by her loving family. Nancy was an active member of Swarthmore Friends Meeting, teaching first day school, serving on numerous committees and chairing the annual Jumble Sale. She belonged to PEO, a philanthropic organization. Nancy was an avid golfer, having developed a love of the game during her summers at Buck Hill Falls. She was a life-long member of Rolling Green Golf Club in Springfield, PA and Buck Hill Falls Golf Club, and a member of Hit or Miss Golf Club for over 60 years. She won numerous tournaments, had seven hole-in-ones and shot her age of 95 while playing at Buck Hill! Nancy was an active member of the Providence Garden Club for fifty years. She volunteered as a reader to kindergarten children in the Chester School District and supported the Chester Children's Chorus. She enjoyed reading and playing bridge, but her favorite activity was spending time with her family. A Memorial Service at Swarthmore Friends Meeting will be held on Sunday, September 14 at 1:30 P.M. Donations in Nancy's memory may be sent to the Buck Hill Falls Conservation Foundation, P.O. Box 350, Buck Hill Falls, PA 18323 or to Swarthmore Friends Meeting, Attn: John McKinstry, 12 Whittier Place, Swarthmore, PA 19081.