Nancy Gould Chamberlain, 98, of Holliston, passed away at Timothy Daniels House in Holliston on Friday, July 16, 2021. Born in Belmont, she was the daughter of the late Arieta (Bond) and Richard G. Gould. She was the wife of the late Joseph L. Chamberlain. She had lived in Holliston since 1975.
Nancy loved music and as a young woman played church organ and led a junior choir. She was a member of First Parish Unitarian-Universalist in Framingham, where she sang in the choir. She was a past president of the Women’s Alliance at the church. She was a Life Member of the Holliston Historical Society, where she chaired the 18th Century Days program for Holliston’s third-graders and led the Hearth Cooking group for a number of years.
Nancy had a nearly life-long interest and affiliation with the Scouting movement. Nancy joined Girl Scouts at the age of 10 and earned the Girl Scouts Golden Eaglet Award in 1939. As an teenager, she served on the staffs of several summer camps, leading mountain climbing hikes and overnight canoe trips. As an adult, she worked as a Council executive and camp director for the Girl Scouts of America. She later volunteered with the Boy Scouts as a Den Mother and served on the training committee for the Algonquin Council. Nancy was proud to see her son and grandson follow in her footsteps and become Eagle Scouts.
Nancy loved being in the outdoors, identifying wildflowers and working in her garden. She loved animals, but had an especial affection for dogs of all breeds and sizes.
She is survived by her son, Frank W. Chamberlain and his wife, Terri of Holliston, and two grandchildren, Benjamin and William.
Interment at Forest Hills Cemetery in Jamaica Plain will be announced in the near future. Arrangements are under the care of the Chesmore Funeral Home of Holliston. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Holliston Historical Society, 574 Washington St. Holliston, MA 01746.
I am sorry to hear that Nancy is gone, she was such an enthusiastic member of the Holliston Historical Society and her legacy as a tireless participant in the 18th Century Days will be remembered by many children in Holliston who learned valuable lessons about local history from her. She will be greatly missed. Frank and Terri carry on her work, and students in the future will receive that which Nancy taught to all of us and has given to future students of Holliston.
Because of Covid it’s been way too long since I have visited Nancy. I am so sorry to hear about her death. The world. has lost one of its most lovely women. I am her youngest cousin and although we were apart in age we had our babies together and that brought us closer.over the years. I always admired her dedication to scouting and often thought that in todays world she would have gone so far. I will truly miss knowing she is there.