Nancy Rheel Stewart Thomas, longtime resident of Alton, passed away peacefully on September 1, 2024 at the age of 88. Nancy was a devoted wife, mother and friend with a generous spirit, delightful sense of humor and infectious laugh.

Nancy was born on July 18, 1936 in Winchester, MA, the eldest child of Herbert and Etta (Rheel) Stewart. She graduated from Reading High School and earned her nursing degree at Boston Children's Hospital. Nancy married Dana W. Thomas in 1957 and they moved their growing family to Alton, NH in 1962.

For the next 15 years, Nancy was a stay-at-home mom raising her five children and volunteering at the Community Church of Alton. In 1975, she began working at Alton Central School, where she would remain for nearly 20 years, first as the Elementary Secretary/Librarian and then as Secretary to the Principal. In 1993, she accepted an Administrative Assistant role at the SAU office for the Governor Wentworth Regional School District in Wolfeboro.

Nancy retired in 2004 and that year she and Dana took a cross-country road trip to Alaska. She enjoyed traveling and took many trips with her friends Paulette Alden and Barb Francis. Destinations included England, France, Holland, Ireland, Scotland, and British Columbia. During her retirement, she and Dana spent summers with family at their cottage on Woodlands Road in Alton Bay. Nancy served as the President of the Alton Historical Society and was an active member of the Lakes Region Retired Educators. Her last years were spent as a resident of Belknap County Nursing Home.

Nancy was predeceased by her devoted husband, Dana, in 2017. She is survived by her loving family, including her children Elaine, Joanne, Brad and his wife Kim, Annette, Mark and his wife Keri, her granddaughter Tanya, her great-granddaughters Gabi and Josie, her siblings Roger, Sally, and Linda, and her nieces and nephews.

A graveside service will be held on Saturday, September 21, 2024 at 11:00am at the New Riverside Cemetery, 124 Suncook Valley Rd, Alton, NH 03809.  To express condolences, please visit: www.peasleefuneralhome.com