Nancy W. Pendleton

Nancy Willis Pendleton, 91, of Peterborough, NH, and formerly of Falmouth, MA and Portsmouth, RI, died in her apartment at RiverMead Lifecare Community surrounded by loved ones on May 26, 2022.
She was born on January 21, 1931, in Boston, MA, daughter of the late Richard S. and Velma (Hutchinson) Willis. Nancy grew up in Newton Center, MA, and attended Beaver Country Day School. She earned a bachelor’s degree from Smith College (1952) and attended Harvard School of Design for landscape architecture.
Nancy married Brian W. Pendleton in December 1953 in Newton, MA. Together they raised their four children Susan, Brian, Sally, and Richard in Sudbury, MA, and Portsmouth, RI.
Brian died unexpectedly in 1970 but Nancy persevered raising her four children in a loving home and supporting their education and careers. Outdoor activities were always front and center. When not encouraging her children to “get outside”, she was reminding them to “put on a sweater” or “drink some water” and “no, you can’t have a snack”.
Nancy worked as an assistant to the headmaster at The New School of Newport and Middletown, RI. She was a volunteer for the West Falmouth Library and served on the board of Salt Pond Sanctuaries in Falmouth, MA. Nancy was very fond of playing tennis and maintained beautiful gardens at all her homes.
Nancy is predeceased by her parents, Richard and Velma Willis, by her husband Brian of 17 years, and by her brother Richard H. Willis.
She is survived by her children Susan Pendleton (Timothy Gill) of Maplewood, NJ; Sally Pendleton (Carl Werowinski) of Acton, MA; Brian (Skip) Pendleton (Linda) of Canaan, NH; and Richard Pendleton (Sage Wheeler) of Peterborough, NH; eight grandchildren, and two great grandchildren.
The family is planning a private cremation and a memorial gathering this summer on Cape Cod.
The family wishes to thank the staff and Nancy’s many friends at RiverMead for their loving care and support.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Salt Pond Sanctuaries of Falmouth, MA saltpondsanctuaries.org or to the charity of your choice.