Nancy Hall Poole

Nancy Hall Poole, a gift to the world, devoted wife, mother, grandmother, very great grandmother, and scholar, died peacefully at home in Wolfeboro, NH on March 20, 2019. Nancy was born in Nutley, NJ on September 15, 1929, to Edgar and Thelma (Emery) Hall.

Nancy graduated from Ridgewood, NJ schools, and later, Wheaton College in Norton, MA, in 1951. She majored in art history and English, but was a perpetual scholar across numerous disciplines, including archaeology, ancient history, astronomy, genealogy, and classical piano, among many others. She had a delightfully keen, self-effacing sense of humor that always brought bright smiles among her many fond friends and her family.

In 1951, Nancy met Harmon Poole on his front stoop in his bathrobe, in the early morning, while returning from a date. They talked until dawn and married six months later in April 1952. They moved to the hill town of Oakland, NJ, where she was active in community affairs, leading Girl Scouts, founding the town's adult education program, and helping to establish a Presbyterian Church. In Oakland, she was also a founder of an amateur theatre group called The Oakland Community Players with whom she performed many one-act plays. She had a leading role in the production of "Green Grow the Lilacs," which later became the musical Oklahoma.

Nancy worked for the Vitro Corporation in New York, where she needed a top secret clearance. She never let her husband forget that he only received a secret clearance while designing systems for advanced military airplanes.

After welcoming two daughters, Robin and Cathy, and several Labrador retrievers while living in Oakland, Nancy and Hap moved to a house in the woods in West Simsbury, CT, during the snowy winter of 1961, into a growing neighborhood of young families. They lived happily in the town of Simsbury for 54 years. Nancy and Hap moved in retirement to Sugar Hill in Wolfeboro, NH, overlooking Lake Winnipesaukee, in 2015.

In Simsbury, Nancy was deeply dedicated to volunteering, including serving as chairperson of Child and Family Services. She was active in the Farmington Valley Astronomy Club and loved to observe the night sky from the top of Avon Mountain. She pursued her abiding interest in ancient history by auditing classes at Trinity College. She joined the Hartford chapter of the Archaeological Institute of America, eventually serving as Secretary.

Nancy became active as a member of the team that established the plans for the beautiful new Simsbury library. She later led many adventure trips for the Friends of the Library programs.

After her parents and brother died, Nancy decided to research and write a family history, including a close look at her Norwegian roots. She became very active in genealogy, volunteering at the Connecticut Historical Society for several years. She also enjoyed yearly trips to historic taverns as a qualified member of the Flagon and Trencher Society. She received an award for her service from that group.

Never one to sit still, Nancy also loved her morning tennis group at Hop Brook in Simsbury. She was a member of two book groups—sometimes reading several books a week. Nancy's library is filled with books covering her many interests, many of which she read several times.

Nancy returned to work for a few years at Connecticut Mutual Life Insurance Company. She continued to volunteer on the Simsbury Historic Tree Committee. She was an active member of the First Church of Christ in Simsbury, where she especially enjoyed leading the Arts Committee, including art shows in the gallery spaces throughout the church, often supporting local artists.

Nancy took great joy in carefully studying about and then traveling to several countries, especially France, where she took several trips in the 80's and 90's with her husband Hap and friends. She was a true Francophile.

Undoubtedly, Nancy's most important, lifelong passion was her love of classical music. Her secret dream was to become a concert pianist. Because of stiffening fingers, it stayed a dream. However, she spent many happy years playing duo piano with friends.

Most importantly, Nancy was a wonderfully devoted mother and grandmother. She loved being with her two "perfect" grandkids as often as possible. Her whole family will miss her deeply and will continue to celebrate her amazingly rich life, with love and gratitude, as long as they live.

Nancy was predeceased by her brother, Lt. Col. E. James Hall, a decorated pilot in WWII and Korea. She is survived by her beloved husband, Hap; her two daughters, Robin Scheu and Cate Poole; her son-in-law, Ted Scheu; daughter-in-law, Dianna Serrano; and her grandchildren, Jamie Scheu, Kirsten Dargis, and Patrick Perry; and one great grandson as well as several beloved nieces and nephews.

The family is deeply appreciative of the extraordinary care and love provided by Curtis Quality Care, and also the NH VNA Hospice, and the staff at Sugar Hill in Wolfeboro.

A celebration of Nancy's life will be held at The First Church of Christ, 689 Hopmeadow Street, Simsbury, CT on Saturday, May 18th at 2 PM.

Donations in Nancy's memory may be sent to The First Church of Christ or to Doctors Without Borders USA, P.O. Box 5030, Hagerstown, MD 21741-5080.