South Woodstock, Vermont

Nancy Gillett Lewis, 93 died on Saturday evening April 23 ^rd at Woodstock Terrace surrounded by her family.

Nancy was born on October 28, 1928 in Westfield, MA to Edgar and Hazel (Cooley) Gillett. She lived in Westfield until age four when her family moved to Canton, MA. where her father served as Commissioner of Agriculture and Commissioner of Parks and Recreation for the State of Massachusetts.

Nancy attended Canton schools, Brimmer & May, and Chandler School for Women in Boston.

Her love of animals started early, riding horses beginning at age two and receiving her first dog as a sixth birthday gift. Horses brought the Gilletts to Vermont. Nancy rode in her first 50 mile ride in 1939 and eventually completed eleven 100 mile trail rides. In 1945, her parents bought a summer home, "The Farm" in South Woodstock and went on to live for the rest of their lives in a home in the village.

Nancy was on horseback with friends when she met Robert Lewis whose family had also moved to South Woodstock in 1945. They were married on her birthday, October 28, 1951. In 1955, Bob and his father opened a new manufacturing plant in West Woodstock, binding bibles and other religious books for over four decades as Rob't F. Lewis, Inc.

In addition to raising two sons and two daughters, they bred and raised horses. There were always dogs in the house, sometimes four or five at a time. Summers often found the entire family on horseback. Later, Nancy and Bob drove a pair of horses literally thousands of miles over back roads. They played tennis, skied, loved to dance and to entertain friends. After retirement, they traveled extensively.

Nancy and Bob were both very community minded. She lent her support to Mt. Ascutney Hospital, the VNA and the development of the Thompson Senior Center. In South Woodstock, she served for years on the boards of the fire department, Community Club, the church and the Green Mountain Horse Association. She was on the Recreation Center Board, a member of Kings Daughters and the Garden Club. Nancy was a Ski Runners instructor, a Girl Scouts leader and longtime Glad Rags committee member.

After 63 years of a wonderful life together, Bob passed away in 2014. Nancy moved to Woodstock Terrace assisted living in 2019 where she renewed old friendships and grew new ones as well.

Nancy was predeceased by her husband, her parents, two brothers and three sisters, a nephew and two nieces. She is survived by her children, Courtland and Barbara of Farmington, CT, Susan of Woodstock, Darwin and Karen of Hartland and Sarah and David of South Pomfret. Her six grandchildren and their partners as well a great granddaughter, Matthew (Vanessa/Corinne), Elisabeth (Matthew), Benjamin (Deirdre), Jameson (Rosa), Spencer and William were a source of great joy for her.

The family is grateful to the staff and residents of Woodstock Terrace who became her friends, for their thoughtful and caring support over three and a half years, especially through the last difficult months.

Contributions in Nancy's memory can be made Guiding Eyes for the Blind and the Thompson Senior Center.

Her service will be held at the South Chapel in South Woodstock on April 30, 2022 at 11 AM (please wear masks). Her burial will be private.