Dear sister of five, beloved aunt of ten, doting great-aunt of thirteen, and devoted teacher to hundreds, Nancy Halsey Mastin, 62, passed peacefully at her home in East Dennis on Wednesday night.
 
A graduate of Colby Junior College for Women and The William Patterson College of New Jersey, Nancy dedicated herself to teaching special needs students for most of her lengthy career at Mattacheese Middle School. Although outwardly conformist, Nancy had no qualms about making her own decisions or plowing two feet of snow off a half mile of dirt road to get to work.

A long-time East Dennis resident, Nancy lived year-round for nearly a decade on her family’s summer property on Quivet neck, a place she dearly loved. The time she spent there, both with family and in solitude, was among the most cherished of her life.

She could always be relied upon to run interference for her nieces’ and nephews’ ill-advised decisions, as they could do no wrong. When her older sister died in 1987, she made herself a mother to her bereaved nephews, making sure they always had a home, nourishing meals, love, and support.
 
Nancy enjoyed her recent retirement with her favorite things: reading insatiably, crossword puzzles, Words with Friends, oaked Chardonnay, sitting poolside, delicious dinners with close friends, and frequent family gatherings. Staunchly independent, fiercely loyal, and fully giving of herself to others, Nancy was the glue that held a large family together, and her loss will be deeply felt.
 
Family and friends are invited to call at Hallett Funeral Home 273 Station Ave., South Yarmouth, MA  on Friday, December 9, 2016  from 3 to 6 p.m. A  graveside service will be held at Quivet Cemetery, South St., East Dennis on December 10 at 11 AM.

 In lieu of flowers, contributions in her memory may be made to the Cape Cod Times Needy Fund.
 
 

My sympathy to all the family. Nancy was a joy to know; an amazing person and teacher ;gone way too young.

.my thoughts and prayers Are with the family.Nancy was an amazing person who could always share a laugh and who passed way too young.