Nancy Jane Pease
Nancy Pease (1937 – 2024) longtime Merrimack resident and thirty-year veteran teacher, passed away May 15th. Nancy earned her BA from George Washington University in 1959, and her MA in Elementary Education in 1964. During her early career, she taught several elementary grades. In 1970, she began her 30+ year career in Nashua as a reading specialist at New Searles Elementary School. During her tenure she served as Chairperson for the evaluation team of the New England Association of Schools. She was Chairperson of the staffing team for four years, as well as a participant in the Governor’s Institute on Gifted Education. She taught graduate reading courses at Keene State College, and served as the director of the Title 1 Summer Reading Program for the Nashua School Department in 1974. But most of all, she loved her years with the children at New Searles, teaching reading and a program for gifted students.
She loved all animals, especially dogs. During her teaching years, and more fully upon her retirement, she owned and operated “Teacher’s Pet” Pet Care. Over three decades she visited her customer’s homes to provide pet sitting services – feeding, walking, and companionship for animals in lieu of time in daycare or a kennel. Well into her 80’s she would drive to a customer’s home and take the dogs for a walk regardless of the weather.
A lover of Newfoundland Dogs, she owned several throughout the years. A thrill of her life was to have been present at the Westminster Dog show in 2004 when Josh, a Newfoundland, won the best in show honors.
She was an avid bridge player, and played multiple times per week with various groups. As a huge Toby Keith fan, she was saddened by his recent passing, and listened to one of his CD’s almost every day. Another highlight of her life was a Toby Keith concert when she got to go backstage and meet him.
She touched the lives of many people – students, co-workers, friends, bridge players, dog owners, and of course her family. Widowed from her husband, Warren, of 42 years in 2002, Nancy leaves two sons, Richard Pease of Tuftonboro, NH (and his wife, Paula) and Edwin Pease of North Andover, MA (and his wife, Kathleen). Grandchildren include Jennifer Donahue, Daniel Reynolds, Owen Pease, Bennett Pease, and Sadie Pease. Great grandchildren include Jake and Ryan Donahue, and Jack, Olivia, and Cole Reynolds.
Funeral services were private, and she is interred with her husband at the New Hampshire Veteran’s Cemetery in Boscawen. For those inclined to make a donation, one of her many animal causes is the Greater Nashua Humane Society, 24 Ferry Road, Nashua, NH 03064.