Nancy Mayo-Smith

Nancy Fox Mayo-Smith passed away peacefully on March 16, 2020 at the Peabody Home in Franklin NH. She was born in NYC on March 6, 1922, daughter of Katherine Umstead Fox and Charles Fox Sr. Growing up in Darien CT, she was a lively and intelligent girl, gaining admission to Smith College at a young age. There she met Richmond Mayo-Smith, a student at Amherst College. She would recall how he struck her as an unusual and special person from their first introduction. They later married after he returned from serving in Europe in WWII. They settled in Exeter NH. In the close-knit community of boarding school faculty, they made many friends with whom they remained close for the rest of their lives. In Exeter Nancy had three children, Richmond III, Michael and Katrina. She was a dedicated and loving mother who cared deeply about the growth and well-being of her family throughout her life. She also enjoyed her six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. In 1961 they set off for what she considered the greatest adventure of her life, living in India for three years. In 1961 the world was a different place than it is now and India a different world than anything they had known. Not many people would have agreed to such a journey! Upon return from India they settled in the Boston area. When her husband was Headmaster at Roxbury Latin School, she was honored by the students for her support of them. Nancy dedicated herself to organizations that positively impacted others. She served for 49 years on the board of Nurtury (formerly Associated Day Care). She served on the board of Faulkner Hospital, including as Chairperson. She and Richmond sponsored Kuncho Palsang, the first Tibetan refugee in the Boston area. Kuncho, his wife and children became part of her family. She was an avid skier, traveling the world and skiing until age 88. She was a fierce competitor in tennis until age 90. With her love of travel, she and her husband visited every continent and innumerable countries. Everywhere she went and throughout her life people were struck by her elegance. Her life was lived to the fullest and she made a large impact on the lives of many. A memorial service will be held later this year in Beacon Hill. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Nurtury at https://www.nurturyboston.org/