Longtime resident, taught piano to hundreds
Nancy Sutton Lawson Brown, 91, passed away peacefully on Aug. 17 with family by her side.
Daughter of Ralph and Eleanor (Benson) Lawson, Nancy was predeceased by Charles H. Brown, her husband of 50 years. Nancy grew up in both Salem and Duxbury, Mass., a graduate of Smith College. She married and moved to Harvard in 1946, where she raised her family, partnered with her husband at Harvard Machine & Tool Company Inc., and became deeply involved with civic activities in Harvard.
Nancy volunteered and participated in many capacities: School Committee member, Girl Scout leader, volunteer at the Concord Prison Outreach Program, and a member of St. Andrews Church in Ayer. The Brown family was the first to host an AFS student. In 1997, Nancy was recognized by the town of Harvard as Citizen of Note. She also belonged to The Society of the Companions of the Holy Cross, where she was able to continue to grow spiritually and nourish her soul.
Known best as a piano teacher, Nancy taught hundreds of children and adults over the years. She loved music and sang with Harvard Pro Musica for many years and held season tickets for the Boston Symphony Orchestra. An avid tennis player into her 80s, she enjoyed picture framing, knitting, sewing, and entertaining in her home.
Nancy was a member of the Museum of Fine Arts, Peabody Essex Museum, Worcester Art museum, and Fitchburg Art Museum.
She is survived by her six children, Charles Brown of Halifax, Nova Scotia, Sandy Hoppel, of Southampton, Penn., Eleanor Pickard, of Littleton, Mass., Tim Brown of Tamworth, NH, Sylvia Brown of Petersham, Mass., and Sally Finley, of Morrison Ill.; 11 grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Loaves & Fishes Food Pantry, Inc, PO Box 1, Ayer MA, 01432. A memorial service will take place at the Congregational Church of Harvard, 5 Still River Road, Saturday, Sept. 15 at 1 p.m.
