Nancy Reynolds Smith

Nancy was born in Orange, New Jersey, the daughter of the late William H. and Jeanette (Palmer) Reynolds. She graduated from Bernard’s High School in Bernardsville, NJ. Nancy was one of three children. She adored her sisters Gay and Joan.

A kind and gentle spirit Nancy will always be remembered for her great love of family and friends. She spent the greater part of her life caring for her five beloved children.

Nancy had many joyful years raising her family in Clinton and then New Canaan CT. She enjoyed her summer vacations on the Jersey Shore, family holidays, trips to Nantucket, Bermuda and her special sisters trips!

Life events later brought Nancy to Marblehead dedicating her time caring for her youngest daughter Kelly who was living with a serious illness. They both became members of the Old North Church finding comfort in that community. She was also a volunteer for the church and an avid knitter of prayer shawls. Nancy was known as one of the best knitters and if you were lucky you have a handknit sweater made especially for you.

Nancy loved reading, antiquing, fishing and spending time on the beach. She loved babysitting for the children in the neighborhood. She also had a great affection for animals having had many of her own. She loved the Fourth of July and the Festival of Arts which always drew a large gathering of family. She especially loved attending her children and grandchildren’s sporting events and activities. Her most beloved activity was a dinner table filled with family, fun, song, stories, love and laughter.

She volunteered her time with The Penny Bear Company sending bears and hugs to adults and children who suffered the loss of a loved one. For years, on her daughter Kelly’s birthday Nancy brought baskets filled with Penny Bears to Children’s Hospital in Kelly’s memory in hopes of bringing them joy.

Nancy is survived by her sisters Gay Bumby and her husband Daniel of Fernandina Beach, FL, and the late Joan Koppes and her husband Alan Koppes of Sacramento, CA; her son James A. Smith and his wife Stephanie (O’Brien) of Milford CT; David M. Smith and his wife Pamela (Klipstein) of Lebanon,NJ; daughter Linda G. Smith and her partner Lisa Arcikowski of Marblehead, Kathryn N. Smith of Marblehead and the late Kelly P. Smith of Marblehead; her grandchildren Electra Kinney and her husband Stephen of Southport CT; Pete Smith and his wife Sara (Murphy) of Fairfield CT, Katherine Smith of Stamford, CT, Thomas Smith, Gade Smith and the late Asia Cummings of Lebanon, NJ. She is also survived by four great-grandchildren Henry, Charlie, Thomas and Emmy Kinney, her former husband Arthur J Smith of Milford, CT and many wonderful nieces and nephews.

The Smith family would like to extend our sincere gratitude to the staff at Bertram House of Swampscott, MA. We will always appreciate and hold a special place in our hearts for the care, love and respect they showed to our mother. They always treated her like family and allowed her to live her life with dignity.

Nancy had a warm and open heart and a special relationship with all those she held dear. Everyone she knew will have their own special memories of Nancy. She will be deeply missed.

A Memorial service in celebration of Nancy’s life will be private. Memorial contributions may be made in Nancy’s honor to Care Dimensions, 75 Sylvan St. Suite B102, Danvers, MA 01923 or to the Alzheimer’s Association, 309 Waverley Oaks Rd, Waltham, MA 02452. Arrangements are under the care of Eustis & Cornell of Marblehead. To share a memory or offer condolences to the family, please visit eustisandcornellfuneralhome.com.