Nancy Parkhurst Kling of Kennebunkport, Maine, passed away on September 2, 2016, at a local hospital surrounded by her family. Nancy had beaten the odds of surviving pancreatic cancer for over 2 and 1/2 years. Born in Cambridge, MA on September 4, 1944, Nancy was the daughter of Charles W. Parkhurst and Anne L. Doherty.

Upon graduation from Newton College, Nancy moved to Washington, DC where she was an analyst with the Central Intelligence Agency specializing in the Soviet economy. Nancy met her husband David there and the couple was married on November 9, 1968, in Cambridge, MA. When David joined Chemical Bank in 1970, they moved to New York City and resided in Brooklyn Heights. Nancy worked as a country risk economist for Chase Manhattan Bank until 1973 when David was transferred to London, England where Nancy volunteered at a local hospital and completed a course at the London Cordon Bleu cooking school. During their seven fantastic years there they traveled extensively and made many lasting friends. Daughter Alison was born there in 1977.

The family moved to Winnetka, IL in 1980. Son Andrew was born a few months after the move. Nancy soon became involved in supporting Winnetka public schools and thoroughly enjoyed working part-time in the Village Toy Shop. She also co-chaired major fund-raising events for Chicago Youth Centers. There are many fond memories of family trips, gardening, attending Ali's and Andrew's sports as well as games for the Chicago Cubs, Bulls and Blackhawks, domino evenings, her "ladies trips", couples book club and other activities with good friends.

After David retired, the couple moved to Kennebunkport, Maine in 2003, where they found a beautiful place to live, a welcoming community and many, many good friends. Nancy became involved as a volunteer for the Kennebunkport Conservation Trust and the Graves Library, as well as a member and Chair of the Kennebunkport Conservation Commission and an active member of the Seacoast Garden Club. Friends and family were central for Nancy and she loved having her children and grandchildren visit Maine. Her cancer slowed her down a bit, but she was able to remain active and upbeat for a very long time.

Nancy was an avid reader and usually had several books going at once - she was in two book clubs. She was a huge fan of British "cozies" and TV shows. She was also an excellent cook, a very skilled needle-pointer and knitter and a dynamite crossword puzzle doer (Sunday Times puzzle in ink with no lookups). She loved her successive dogs and the last, Phoebe, proved to be her great companion in sickness. Nancy really enjoyed travel with friends and family and was able to do so until the very end.

She will be remembered for her intelligence, a wonderful sense of humor and sharp wit, her generosity and loyalty to friends, love of family, and always making life more fun and enjoyable for everyone around her.

Nancy is loved and remembered by her husband, David, her brother Richard Parkhurst (Barbara) of Yarmouth, Maine, two children, Alison (David Marino) of Park Slope, Brooklyn, NY, Andrew (Jodi) of Somerville, MA and four grandchildren: Charlie, Ella, Julia and Olivia, her sister-in-law, Barbara Anderson of Tucson, Arizona and two nieces, Sara Stewart and Alexis Lopez, also of Tucson.

The family wishes to express their profound thanks to the support received from family and friends during the last two years and the oncology team at Mass General in Boston who provided such sensitive and excellent care.

In accordance with Nancy's wishes there will be no visitation or interment ceremonies. There will be a celebration of Nancy's life at a date and place to be determined.

Donations in Nancy’s memory may be made either to: the Louis T. Graves Public Library, PO Box 391 Kennebunkport, ME 04046 or to the Massachusetts General Hospital in support of pancreatic cancer research at the MGH Development Office c/o Meagan Coons, 125 Nashua Street, Suite 540, Boston, MA 02144 (checks can be made out to the MGH Cancer Center. Please include “Nancy Kling” in the memo line)