Nancy J. Drew of Milton, NH passed peacefully at home after a brief illness. She was born to Victor and Marion Joos and grew up in Rochester, NH with four brothers and finally a sister she had always wished for. As a young girl she loved to read and would hide away under the trees to read her favorite books.

Nancy married her high school sweetheart, Tom before settling and raising a family in Milton NH.

Nancy was a passionate educator, working as a teacher until she became the principal of Milton Elementary where she worked until her formal retirement.  Not content to rest, she went on to work as Family Advocate at Head Start, working with families, many who were her former students.

She continued her service to the community by volunteering for the Wall of Distinction Committee, coordinating bi-annual celebrations to recognize graduates from Nute High School for outstanding work and successful careers. She was a friend of and then a Trustee for the Milton Free Public Library.  She played folk guitar at church and for senior centers, taught CCD classes at her church, music camp in the summers, and participated in many programs to enrich the lives and opportunities of children in Milton.  Her mischievous spirit married with her desire to teach was exemplified when she dressed as the Statue of Liberty in the Milton Town Parade and handed out copies of the constitution.  Nancy was an outstanding cook, making holidays a real treat for the family.  She was fondly called "the Pie Queen" by her children.   She loved to garden, knit, travel and take long drives on the back country roads of New England with her husband of 61 years.  Nancy was a member of the Saint Mary's Church in Rochester, having been taught by the nuns in her early school years.

Nancy graduated from UNH in 1975 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Early Childhood Education and continued her education attaining two Master's Degrees, one in Reading and Language, and a second in School Administration. She never stopped learning and continued to take classes that interested her or found a book to discover more.

Nancy leaves behind her husband Thomas, her sister Lauren Jacobs, her children Christopher Drew, Heidi Drew and Cathy Golub. Her grandchildren: Kimberly Fetzer, Matthew Drew, Sophia Golub and great grandchildren Zoe, Sofia and Weston, along with many nieces, nephews and cousins.   Her generous and kind spirit and ability to see the best in everyone and all situations will guide those of us left behind.

In lieu of flowers, Nancy's wishes are for donations to be sent in her name to:

The Friends of the Milton Free Public Library - PO Box 127 Milton Mills, NH  03852

Or

The Nute High School and Library Wall of Distinction - 22 Elm Street Milton, NH 03851

Calling Hours: Wednesday, May 15, 2024 from 5pm to 7pm at Peaslee Funeral Home, 24 Central Street Farmington, NH.

Funeral Mass: Thursday, May 16, 20024, 11am at St. Mary's Church, 71 Lowell St. Rochester, NH

To express condolences, please visit: www.peasleefuneralhome.com