MA, and formerly of Needham, died peacefully at home on December 27, 2017. She enjoyed a long and healthy life.
Born on October 22, 1921 in Binghamton, NY, the daughter of Robert and Beatrice Nichols, she grew up with her older sister, Helen and younger brother Brad. She attended Binghamton public schools, the Baldwin School in Bryn Marr, Pennsylvania and entered Wellesley College in 1940.
While at Wellesley, she met Navy Lieutenant Francis Eaton at a dance on December 6, 1941. After several months of convincing correspondence, they were married in April of 1944, while Frank was on a short shore leave.
While he was at sea, Jan graduated from Wellesley and worked briefly for TWA in New York City until Frank returned to the states to teach ROTC at Dartmouth College.
Their daughter, Lesley, was born in Hanover, NH in 1946. They soon moved back to the Boston area and lived in Wellesley before buying their home in Needham in 1950, adding three sons between 1948 and 1953. Raising 4 children kept Jan busy in the 1950’s and 60’s, as a den mother, cheerleader at sporting events, and taxi driver. But she also found time for gardening, tennis, sailing with friends, and charming Frank's friends and clients at business conventions in the US and Canada. Her flower gardens in Needham were a sight to behold. As her children grew older, Jan threw herself into volunteer service with the Wellesley Service League and part time work in cosmetics and marketing for The Cotten Council. She was especially proud of earning the money to purchase a 1967 Dodge
Dart GT Convertible, and she looked great in it!
After indulging Frank by showing some interest in the ski house they purchased in Rumney, NH, Jan lured him to her first love, the beach, and they bought a vacation home by Nauset Beach in Orleans in 1978. This became their retirement home as Jan added a swimming pool and many beautiful gardens. She swam every day and took pleasure in extending the season to her October 22nd birthday, regardless of the temperature. She coordinated the Annual Nauset Garden Club plant sale for many years. But her main love was her family, and she took pleasure in watching it grow to 17 grandchildren and 20 great grandchildren.
Jan was predeceased by her husband, Francis C. Eaton and her sister, Helen Hutton. She is survived by her brother, Brad Nichols of Essex, CT, his wife Helene, her daughter Lesley of West Tisbury, MA, sons Brad and his wife Lorrie of Rumney, NH, Whit of Lexington, KY, David and his wife Jil of Portland, ME, and the aforementioned progeny.
Her family would like to express their sincere appreciation for the loving care she has received over the years from Lesley Eiler of Brewster, MA, Beth Grzesczyk of Eastham, MA, Linda and Karl Eiler of Brewster, MA and in her final months, Hope Hospice of Cape Cod.
A memorial service and celebration of her long life will be announced in the Spring of 2018, when Jan's flowers will be in full bloom.
For online condolences, please visit www.nickersonfunerals.com
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