Nancy Maynard

Nancy Ellen (Welch) Maynard, 79, died peacefully at HopeHealth Hulitar Hospice on December 17, 2022. Nancy was the daughter of the late William and Ann (McGinn) Welch. Born in Pawtucket RI, she was the youngest of six children - John Welch, Ann Louise Welch RSM, Mary Jane Welch and the late William and James. Nancy was the beloved wife of Peter E. Maynard, who she was married to for 55 wonderful years. She was the mother to Peter W. Maynard (Nancybeth) of Leesburg, Virginia and Jennifer (Carl) Krekorian of Wakefield. Nancy had seven grandchildren - Peter, Salvio and Lucia Krekorian and Justin, Courtney, Brendan and Bethanne Maynard.

Nancy graduated from St. Mary’s School in Pawtucket and St. Mary’s Academy Bayview. She received her undergraduate degree from Rhode Island College in secondary education and two Master’s degrees from the University of Rhode Island in Reading Education and Counseling and Family Therapy. She also completed graduate courses at SUNY Buffalo and the University of Minnesota.

Professionally, Nancy began her career as an English teacher in the Pawtucket public school system. She continued her teaching career in Depew, NY after her marriage when she and Peter moved to the Buffalo area. She co authored and co directed a study of Police Family Stress in the Minneapolis Police Department while Peter was on sabbatical leave at the University of Minnesota Family Study Center. In 1978 she became an adjunct professor in counselor education and began working as a licensed marriage and family therapist. In 1986 Nancy was appointed as a school counselor in the Exeter-West Greenwich school system. She remained in that position until her retirement in 2003.

One of the greatest joys of living in RI for Nancy was that it allowed her to be near her brother Jack and his children as well as her two sisters Ann Louise and Mary Jane. Frequent birthday and holiday parties and a 20 year annual summer reunion in Watch Hill with extended family members from across the country allowed her to stay in close contact with her beloved family. She had an extremely close group of women whom she knew from her Garden Street Pawtucket neighborhood and St. Mary’s CYO, and she has remained closely connected to them her whole life.

Nancy was a deeply spiritual person, but also very optimistic, positive and fun. Nancy always enjoyed a good laugh and gave a kind word to all. She loved reading, quilting, crocheting, walking and spending as much time as she could with her husband, friends, children and grandchildren. She was particularly close to her daughter, Jenny, who was attentive and caring both before and especially after Nancy’s diagnosis of multiple myeloma in 2016. Jenny invited her parents to dinner every Sunday and often prepared meals and delivered them to their home. She accompanied Nancy to many of her appointments in Providence and Dana Farber in Boston.

Nancy was a caring, loving, sensitive person and will be sorely missed by all who knew and loved her. The family would like to thank Nancy’s dear friend Maureen Dalpe who often accompanied Nancy to her chemo sessions and doctor’s appointments and provided so much support and love.

A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated in Christ the King church 180 Old North Rd, Kingston, 02881 on Thursday, December 22nd at 11 am. The family will receive visitors from 10:15-10:45 in the church.. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Rhode Island Community Food Bank.