BUXTON- Nancy Jane (Dean) Gallant, daughter of Elmer Osman Dean and Arlene Olive Anderson, born October 5, 1936, at the Dean Homestead in Buxton and the 5th generation to reside there. She died on a sunny Sunday afternoon in the room where she was born 89 years ago.
Nancy attended Dearborn Hill Grammar School, Buxton High School, then graduated from St. Petersburg High School in Florida. She was employed at 16 by a Portland attorney and realtor where she worked for 9 years. She met Edward Gallant Jr when he worked at Arthur Murray Dance Studio just up the street and they married in 1958. They purchased the Dean Homestead from her grandmother, and she stayed at home to raise their 3 sons.
She returned to work in 1978 as a secretary at Bonny Eagle High School and worked for another 12 years. She attended Buxton Center Baptist Church as a child and in later years as an active member.
She was also one of the original volunteers at the Buxton Food Cupboard.
She was an avid reader, loved the outdoors, swimming in the ocean, gardening, berry picking and especially enjoyed travelling with her husband.
She was predeceased by a son, Corey, and her husband of 57 years. She is survived by her son Edward III and his wife Michele (Ashworth) of Carthage, NC, daughter in law Joy Gallant of Portland and son Dean and his wife Kyrstal (Cook) of Limington, sister Joyce Nelson, brother Terry Dean, half-sister Penny Booker, step-brother Paul Riley, as well as 13 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Chad E. Poitras Cremation and Funeral Service, Buxton, www.mainefuneral.com