Nancy K. Wilson

THOMASTON – Nancy K. Wilson, age 88, died peacefully Oct. 22, surrounded by her family at Waterbury Hospital after a battle with lung disease. She was predeceased by her husband of 52 years, John L. Wilson.

Nancy was born, March 25, 1932, in Sublette, Lee County, Illinois, daughter of the late Martin and Elsie Kaefer.  She moved to Thomaston when her father, Martin, took a job at Seth Thomas Clocks and graduated from Thomaston High School in 1949. Upon completion of high school, she attended Boston University earning an Associate’s Degree.

Nancy married John in 1951 and devoted her time to raising five children. Once the children reached school age, she opened up a nursery school which she operated successfully for about a decade. After closing the nursery school, she went to work at Thomaston Special Products for 17 years before retiring.

Extensively involved in local affairs, she was honored as Thomaston’s Rotary Club Citizen of the Year in 2015.  Nancy served for 12 years on the Board of Education including six as Vice-Chairman, was a charter member of the Educational Enrichment Committee and a member of the High School Building Committee.  She was also the first woman ever to serve on the Board of Finance serving for six years, and served on the Water Pollution Control Authority (WPC) for four years and Zoning Board of Appeals.

Nancy was a longtime Chairman of the Republican Town Committee, a member of the Republican State Central Committee and a candidate for First Selectman.
For many years Nancy served as town moderator. One of her first duties as moderator was holding the town meeting to approve the purchase of Nystrom’s Pond from the state.  She was also chairman of the town’s Centennial Ball in 1975 and organized town picnics at Nystrom’s on Labor Day for several years.  She was also a member of the Vi-Arms / Black Rock Tavern Sunday School Committee.

Nancy was a lifelong member of the First Congregational Church of Thomaston.  She sang for many years in the choir, served as a Deacon and on numerous committees.  She enjoyed many happy hours on the Women’s Fellowship Committee.

In recent years Nancy took great joy in her `Senior Tour’ lunch excursions with her sons and sister-in-law Betty and dining with her family.  She especially enjoyed visiting Disney World and Block Island with her husband, children and grandchildren.  She loved Thomaston and was a great friend and role model to many. She was also an avid reader.

Nancy is survived by her sons, Gary Wilson and wife Lynn; Richard and wife Caroline both of Thomaston. Daughters Laura Wilson of Thomaston, Nancy Lynne (Wynnie) Wilson and spouse Lee Brigham of Glastonbury; Lee Anne Sluder and husband Mark of Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida.  Seven Grandchildren; Phin, Kristen, Greg, Kelsey, Anna, Preston and Jonathan. Great Grandchildren; Jack, Owen, Mina, Ava, Sam and Hannah.  She is also survived by her sister Phyllis Lucke of Scotia, N.Y. and brother, Dennis and wife Penny of Lake City, Fla, Sister-in-law,  “Aunt Betty”  Wilson Nedorostek as well as several nieces and nephews.

Prayers of committal will be held on Tuesday, October 27, at 10:00 A.M. at the Hillside Cemetery in Thomaston. A memorial service will follow at 11:00 A.M. at the First Congregational Church of Thomaston. To send notes of sympathy and comfort to Nancy’s family, please visit her tribute page at www.lyonsfuneralhome.com

Memorial contributions may be made in Nancy’s name to the Thomaston Women’s Fellowship of the First Congregational Church or Friends of the Thomaston Public Library.