Nancy A. David

Nancy A. David, 68, wife of John G. David of Amherst, daughter of the late Francis and Carmelita (McCarthy) Dillman, died at Southern New Hampshire Medical Center in Nashua, NH, on Saturday, June 18th, following complications of cancer and pneumonia. She began her professional career in 1964, teaching English and Dramatic Arts at Lyman Hall High School in Wallingford, CT, following her graduation from Bates College. She will be fondly remembered by her students as “Mrs. Larson,” married to the late Kenneth Larson during most of the 34 years she taught there. She completed a Masters Degree in Education at Southern Connecticut State College, and was active in public education affairs at the local, state and national level, serving for many years on the Public Relations and Resolutions Committees of the Connecticut Education Association. She won eleven annual “First Place” awards from the CEA for editing the Wallingford area “School Observer” community newsletter. She was a dedicated and skillful teacher, attempting to instill a love of literature, poetry and drama in her students, while developing the basic skills of clear writing and reading comprehension. While having no children of her own, she was extremely proud of the students she mentored during her long career, some of whom went on to teach at the college level; and others who caught the spark of drama and have pursued successful careers in theater and the arts. As a teacher of Dramatic Arts, Nancy took on the challenge of producing and directing Lyman Hall’s first high school musical, “Oklahoma,” perhaps one of the first such all-student productions in the State of Connecticut. In addition to teaching English at several grade levels, she produced a musical and/or dramatic play every year. She often said that she was responsible for the blossoming theater costume rental business in the Hartford area, as other schools followed her lead. She also credits herself with introducing J. R. R. Tolkein’s writings (“The Hobbit”, “Lord of the Rings”) into the Honors English curriculum at the school. Following her marriage to John G. David, (also a Bates College graduate), in 1997, she retired from teaching in 1998. They have been residents of Amherst, NH since then. Nancy quickly became a part of the community, joining her husband as a member of the Congregational Church of Amherst and the Amherst LIONS Club. She contributed her personal skills in a number of local causes, assisting with the annual Souhegan Valley CROP Hunger Walk and volunteering at Ann Marie House, an inter-faith shelter in Hudson, NH for families in transition from homelessness to independence. Nancy David is survived by four siblings: Joan Hendricks, of Wallingford, CT, John Dillman (Connie) of West Haven, CT, Nora Vetrano (Regis) of Branford, CT, Robert Dillman (Evelyn) of Amston, CT; by her step-children, John R. David and Katherine (David) Burden, and numerous nieces and nephews. She is predeceased by bother-in-law, Jack R. Hendricks, and her nephew, John Dillman III. A memorial service will be held on August 6th at 11:00 am in the sanctuary of the Congregational Church of Amherst, NH (UCC), 11 Church Street, Amherst, NH. A reception will follow downstairs in the Community Room. Donations in Nancy’s honor may be made to Bates College, 2 Andrews Road, Lewiston, ME, 04240, with a reference to Nancy (Dillman) David, Class of 1964.