Nancy E. Meehan-McIninch

Nancy Elizabeth Meehan-McIninch, 80, passed away on February 19, 2025, surrounded by her loving family. An adventurous and fun-loving spirit, Nancy’s unexpected death has left her loved ones heartbroken, but thankful for her many years of warmth and laughter. 

Nancy was born December 17, 1944 in Quincy, Massachusetts, the daughter of John Raymond Meehan and Althea (Adams) Meehan. She had a gregarious life growing up in Braintree, living next door to her grandparents and playing on the town common outside her house with her older brother David and whoever else wanted to have fun. From a young age, she was independent and free-roaming; and enjoyed recalling how, at age six, she could take a bus to the movies without her parents, or walk three blocks down to Sunset Lake to swim. 

Growing up in the ‘40s and ‘50s, Nancy’s biggest complaint as a kid was that people sometimes tried to limit her because she was a girl. Nancy had no interest in limits. When she wasn't provided a baseball mitt, she caught with her bare hands, and proved just as good as the boys. After graduating from Braintree High School, at a time when it wasn’t assumed that women went to college, Nancy picked up work and put herself through Salem State University, graduating in 1972 with a BS in Business Education. After college, she backpacked across Europe by herself. Later, she and a friend taught themselves to ski while working as waitresses in New Hampshire and California. 

 Blazing her own path, Nancy was skeptical of settling down. But when she was 27, she met Doug McIninch, and decided that they had so much fun together that adventuring would go better as a pair. They were married in Cambridge, and remained lifelong, loving companions through 49 years of marriage. 

Doug and Nancy moved to Windham, New Hampshire, in 1974, where Doug worked as a lawyer and Nancy taught Accounting at Castle College. There they welcomed their daughters Laura and Erica, whom they adored. Always positive and spontaneous, if her girls needed to be comforted Nancy was likely to pick them up and begin to dance. She was a dedicated mother, and a regular class parent and PTA member. In 1987 the family moved to Bedford, New Hampshire. From this home base, they enjoyed spending time at Lake Winnipesaukee, numerous ski vacations with dear friends, and many other adventures. Nancy also passed on to her girls an appreciation of the performing arts, frequently taking them to plays, the opera, and ballet. 

 Throughout their lives together, Doug and Nancy cultivated friendships. Left alone for ten minutes at any event or group of any kind, when you came back to her the first thing Nancy she would say is "This is my new friend ....", and she would mean it. People loved Nancy, and felt at ease in her presence. Her friends enjoyed her exceptional kindness, her ubiquitous smile and sense of humor, her adaptability, and readiness to join in any kind of fun. This is why, even at age 80, she lived in a thick network of strong connections. 

 After retiring from teaching, Nancy served on the board of the Palace Theatre and was Trustee of the McIninch Foundation. She was a devoted caregiver to her late mother, and to her three grandsons, Ben, Eddy, and Ethan. She was a wonderful grandmother, nurturing a special connection with each individual. Company-loving and liberal (particularly with dessert), but also reliable and supportive, she was a much-sought-after babysitter. Meanwhile she and Doug continued to explore, venturing out on their ocean boat The Nancy M. 

 Nancy lost her beloved Doug in April last year. Although she was devastated to be parted from her husband, she turned toward life. She gave support to her family, hosted holidays like always, took wonderful trips with her friends, and generally didn't let a day pass without connecting with the people she loved. 

Nancy's death was sudden, and too soon, for her friends and family. We like to think she has been reunited with Doug and everyone she has loved and lost.

 She is survived by her daughter, Laura Paryl, her husband Ron, and their son, Eddy; her daughter, Erica McIninch, and her husband, Charles Comey, and their sons, Ben and Ethan. She also leaves behind many beloved nieces and nephews.

 Calling hours are at Lambert Funeral Home, 1799 Elm St. Manchester, NH on Tuesday, March 4th, from 4:00 to 7:00 pm. The funeral service will be on Wednesday, March 5th, 11:00 at the First Congregational Church, 508 Union St., in Manchester. Burial will follow in Pine Grove Cemetery, Manchester.

 In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her memory to support the Palace Theatre at palacetheatre.my.salesforce-sites.com/donate/?dfId=a0n3u00000eD2LCAA0&