Nancy E. (Perkins) Arata

The personal legacy Nancy leaves behind is one of grace and wisdom bolstered by passionate strength and determination. Nancy found her greatest joy in her rich relationships, and she tirelessly devoted herself to her loved ones, whether old or new.

Born on October 27, 1945, in Dallas, Texas, Nancy spent a vibrant twenty years with her mother and father, Mary Ruth and Clayton Perkins, and her older brother Ben Perkins, to whom she was devoted for his entire life. She was a “Starlet” and lieutenant on the drill team for the class of 1963 at W.W. Samuell High School and went on to graduate from the University of Texas in 1967 where her love of the arts and respect for ideas inspired her to seek experiences far and wide.

This deep-seated curiosity led Nancy from Texas to England after graduation, where she found work as the personal assistant to the famous manager of the Beatles, Brian Epstein. After two formative years in the United Kingdom, Nancy took her new skills and headed west to San Francisco. In California, she served as the assistant company manager for the first touring production of the musical Hair during its run at the Orpheum Theatre on Hyde Street. In San Francisco, Nancy progressed into roles at the American Conservatory Theater and the San Francisco Opera. These positions led to a growing career in the arts.

Drawn to Boston to work at WGBH in public relations, Nancy was later recruited to the Massachusetts Council on the Arts and Humanities, where she served as Director of Public Information for seven years. During her tenure, the budget of the Council jumped from $1M to $20M, in part due to her skills as a strategic communicator. Nancy developed into a consummate fundraiser and administrator and her impressive career included senior leadership roles at the New England Conservatory, the Boston Symphony Orchestra, the Brookings Institution and the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Her final professional position was as Vice President at the New England Aquarium. Nancy brought a distinctive combination of creativity, persistence and flair to all these development positions. She was crucial in the success of key fundraising campaigns such as the restoration of the iconic Jordan Hall at the New England Conservatory and the new Giant Ocean Tank at the New England Aquarium. Along the way, Nancy mentored numerous younger leaders who have themselves made important contributions to their fields.

In 1983, as she left a breakfast meeting at the Méridien Hotel, Nancy inadvertently met a six-foot-five Italian named John W. Arata. Her relationship with John was a wellspring of love, hope, and devotion. This partnership had an extra bonus: two wonderful sons, Nat and Alex. Nancy’s skill at blending families was one of her biggest, most cherished accomplishments. Together, Nancy and John made positive and lasting impacts on their communities in Boston, Washington, D.C., and Marblehead, MA.

In 2015, Nancy was elected to the Abbot Public Library Board in Marblehead. As Chair of the Board, Nancy spearheaded a campaign that raised $10M to finance a major renovation. She found great fulfillment and success in leading a team of professionals and volunteers who planned and executed this campaign, and the enhancements she championed will position the Library to provide a superior level of service to the community in the years to come. This achievement beautifully reflected Nancy’s long-held deep belief that libraries are one of the most important foundations of democracy and civil society.

Nancy will be remembered as a fiercely loving person, and no sacrifice was too great for her to make for family or a friend. She is survived by her two sons, Alex and Nat Arata, her two daughters-in-law, Melissa Huggard Arata and Kelly Dietz Arata, and her three dear grandsons, Sebastian, Lucca, and Dashiell. In Texas, she is survived by her cousins Ada Carolyn Perkins Osteen and Martha McSpadden, and her nieces, nephews, and her grandnieces.

Following a private burial at Waterside Cemetery, a gathering in remembrance of Nancy will be held at the Boston Yacht Club, 1 Front Street in Marblehead on Thursday, June 6 at 4 PM.

Nancy’s family has requested that remembrances be made through contributions to the Abbot Public Library Foundation in Marblehead, MA. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at eustisandcornellfuneralhome.com for Nancy’s family.