Nancy P. Cobban, 76, died peacefully at her home in Derry, NH on Thursday, December 22, 2011 surrounded by family, following a long illness. She was born July 12, 1935 in Portland, Oregon to Marion Grace (Ellsworth) Pennington and Charles William Pennington. Nancy’s lifelong love of language and learning led to her studies at Mount Holyoke College from which she graduated summa cum laude in May of 1957 with a degree in English Literature and Composition. In June of 1957 she married, Robert F. Cobban with whom she shared 51 wonderful years.
Nancy, her husband, and their three children settled in Derry, NH in 1971. There Nancy began her professional career in earnest. Notably, Nancy acted as the director of the Community Child Care Cooperative, in Salem, NH, and as the Executive Director of Federated Arts of Manchester, Inc. Her resume also included, 4th grade teacher, substitute, reading instructor, and nursery school teacher. Nancy was an active and involved member of the Hampstead Congregational Church, where she held the positions of Sunday school teacher, Christian Education committee chairperson, and deacon.
Nancy is survived by her daughter, Marion M. Cobban and her dear friend, Linda Pollack of South Hampton, NH, her son, Robert A. Cobban and his wife, Rachel Cobban of Derry, five grandchildren, three great granddaughters, her sister and brother-in-law, Carol and Charlie Marsh of South Carolina, many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her husband, Robert F. Cobban, and her younger daughter, Margaret R. Cobban.
A memorial service will be held by the family on Saturday, January 28, 2012 at 2:00pm in the Hampstead Congregational Church, 61 Main Street, Hampstead, NH. The Peabody Funeral Homes and Crematorium, 15 Birch St., Derry is handling the arrangements.