Nancy T. Sawyer

Greenfield, Massachusetts
Nancy T. (Thayer) Sawyer of Greenfield passed away on September 26, 2016 at the age of 88.
Born in Stafford Springs, CT, on July 11, 1928 to Dr. Ralph Bruce and Helen Caldwell Thayer, she grew up in Somers, Connecticut.  Nancy graduated from Cushing Academy and later attended the Rhode Island School of Design. While at Cushing, she met Robert Cushman Sawyer of Ossipee, New Hampshire. Their 1949 marriage lasted 66 years until his passing in 2015. 
Nancy was also predeceased by a brother, Dr. Ralph Bruce Thayer, Jr., and a sister, Betty Shatswell. She is survived by daughter Amy Clarke and her husband Doug, of Greenfield; daughter Martha Folsom and her husband Jon, of Littleton, MA; daughter Jennifer of Durham, NH and her partner Devin Lockley; son Jeff and his wife Neiani, of Whitefield, NH; ten grandchildren; six great grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. 
In the mid-70s, Nancy purchased Valley Travel in Greenfield, and led the agency with great success as president until her retirement. Her favorite destinations were Kenya (where she floated over the plains in a hot air balloon) and Egypt (where she ill-advisedly wore a skirt while riding a camel). She was active in the community, including roles as President of the Junior Branch Board of Organized Work, where she particularly enjoyed painting scenery for the Follies with friend Carol Pettengill; President of the Women's Association at Second Congregational Church; and Clerk of the Church. Nancy served on the Board of MSPCC of Franklin County, became the first woman to serve as Chairman of the Board of the United Way of Franklin County, and was active on the Board of the Franklin County Chamber of Commerce.
Her hobbies included fly fishing for Atlantic salmon; gardening; birding; painting; hosting foreign exchange students and a Fresh Air Fund child; and spending time with family at their New Hampshire cottage. She may also have held the record for enduring jokes told by an insurance agent.  As a youth, she climbed Mt. Washington and other New England peaks, was a Water Safety Instructor, and enjoyed summers in Enfield, Massachusetts, one of the towns later lost to Quabbin Reservoir. 
Nancy survived breast cancer and lived her later decades legally blind. Yet she enjoyed a full and remarkable life, balancing family, work, and community service.  The family would especially like to thank all those who helped Mom live at home in her later years, in particular Mary Lee and Robin from Hospice of Franklin County; Therese from Lifepath; Irene, Diane, and Christi from Epic Services, who cared for both Bob and Nancy; and Amy #2, Carol, Samantha, Krislene and Shelby from Comprehensive Home Care.  She could not have stayed at home these last months without the tender care of her grand-daughter, Annie.
A service will be held at the Second Congregational Church in Greenfield at 1:00 pm on Monday, October 3^, 2016, with Rev. Corey Sanderson, Pastor, officiating.  A reception will follow in the fellowship hall of the church. Private committal services and inurnment, will take place in the Green River Cemetery, Greenfield, MA.  Visiting hours are omitted. For those wishing to attend the services, parking will be available at the rear of McCarthy Funeral Homes, adjacent to the church.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Nancy’s memory to the United Way of Franklin County, 51 Davis Street, Suite #2, Greenfield, MA  01301 in support of their Women's Way Oral Health Initiative; or to Hospice of Franklin County at 329 Conway Street, Suite #2, Greenfield, MA   01301. 

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