Nancy Louise Benoit

Nancy Louise (Lovell) Benoit, 64, died at home on Sunday the 26th of September 2010.

Nancy leaves her beloved husband and caregiver, Raymond R. Benoit; a daughter, Danielle Hoitt and her husband Rob of Plainville; a son, Stephen Benoit and his wife Angie of Waltham; her stepmother, Dorothy Lovell of Chester, Vt; two sisters, Janice Mattila of Townsend and Susan Lovell of Jaffrey, N. H.; a granddaughter Julianna Hoitt and grandson Jackson Hoitt of Plainville; grandsons Cole Benoit and Luke Benoit of Waltham; and several nieces and nephews. She also leaves several very close friends, including Alice Mard of Worcester, Sarah Musumeci of North Andover, Alicja Mann of Tucson, Arizona, and her lifelong friend Evie Tumber of Clearwater, Florida.

She was a direct descendant of the Mayflower Pilgrim John Howland.

Nancy derived great joy from her family and especially her grandchildren. Her family and friends will always remember her enthusiasm, kindness, generosity, and humility.

She was born in Fitchburg, a daughter of Orin F. and Alice M. (Bingham) Lovell. She grew up in Townsend and Fitchburg. Nancy and Ray celebrated their 42nd wedding anniversary in June.

Nancy was a graduate of Fitchburg High School and Lowell State College, and also studied at the Pennsylvania State University and Emerson College. She founded and conducted The Greater Worcester Wind Ensemble, and was active at one time in Auburn Community Players and Worcester County Light Opera Company. In the early seventies she was Director of Instrumental Music and Bands at Wareham High School.

Nancy was also a freelance editor, having edited many books and articles. At one time she was a columnist and assistant editor for the Auburn News. She was most recently employed by Old Sturbridge Village, where she worked as a museum teacher, interpreter and river boat captain.

She played French horn in the Fitchburg High School Alumni Band for several years, and enjoyed gardening, scrapbooking, and Internet Scrabble.

In accordance with Nancy's wishes, there will be no viewing. A brief service followed by a gathering to celebrate her life will be held at the Oliver Wight Tavern in Old Sturbridge Village on Saturday, October 2, from 11:30 AM until 3:30 PM.

Memorial contributions may be sent either to the Make-A-Wish Foundation® of America, Gift Processing Center, P.O. Box 749596, Los Angeles, CA 90074-9596 or to the UMass Memorial Hospice, c/o UMass Memorial Foundation, Biotech One, 650 Lincoln Street, Worcester, MA 01613-9938.

For guestbook and memorial or for directions please visit

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