Nancy Ober Batchelder,84, one of life’s nicest and caring people, died on December 4 at the Cape Cod Hospital. She leaves her husband Earle, with whom she enjoyed 58 years of love, laughter, an occasional tear, and a totally loving family.

Nancy was born and raised in Beverly, Ma., the daughter of Edward and Evelyn Ober.  She attended Beverly schools, the Walnut Hill School in Natick, and Colby Junior College in New Hampshire.  Born into moderate affluence, she grew to be remarkably unaffected, enjoying friendships with people from all walks of life.

In 1959 she married Earle Batchelder and moved to Bradford, MA, where they had their first two sons, Mark and Peter.  In 1962 they moved to Natick, where they spent thirteen happy years, Earle as Headmaster of the Walnut Hill School.  During that period they added Douglas and Edward to the family.  Nancy performed enthusiastically not only in her role as mother and wife, but also as friend, counselor and hostess to students, faculty, alumnae, trustees, trades people, and visiting dignitaries.
In 1975 Nancy and Earle moved to Cape Cod, where Earle joined the administration of the Dennis Yarmouth School System.  Three years later they moved to Erie Pa. and Nancy became Director of the Girard Senior Center. Again, her capacity to relate warmly to people of all walks of life endeared her to all who came to know her. Nancy and Earle’s next move was to Longmeadow, MA, where Nancy continued her work in senior services, as a case worker, director of volunteers, and unofficial morale booster for the Greater Springfield Senior Services.  Here again, her indomitable good spirit prevailed.
 
Nancy and Earle retired to the Cape in 1999.  Since that time Nancy enjoyed golf, bridge, poker, and many social get-togethers, both formal and informal.  Her smile and her cheerful attitude will be remembered by many fortunate enough to have known her.

She is survived by her husband,  Earle, their sons and their families: Mark, his wife, Robin, and their daughters Hannah and Haley; Peter, his wife, Kim, and Owen and Lily of Amherst, N.H.; Douglas, his wife, Erin, and Joshua, Evie, and Nason, of Topsfield; and Edward ,his wife, Wendy and Hayden of Bridgewater, all of whom adored her.  She is also survived by her sister-in-law, Virginia Ober, of Fort Lauderdale, FL,  a nephew, Scott Ober, and his wife, Stacy, and a niece, Elizabeth (Marney) Ayres, of Medina, Ohio.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend a funeral service on Saturday, Dec^{ember 9, 2017 at}  1:00 PM in the Dennis Union Church, Route 6A, Dennis, MA followed by a celebration of her life at  Encore Restaurant, 36 Hope Lane, Dennis.

In lieu of flowers, those who wish to remember her are encouraged to give to the charity of their choice, or to the Cape Cod Needy Fund, in her honor.
 

I worked with Nancy at GSSSI. My husband and I went to her home for dinner with many other folks from GSSSI. We had a blast. I remembered she made a delicious chicken coq au vin. We had so many laughs at that party. She really was full of sunshine at work. I am smiling at all the wonderful memories of her. blessings and love to the family Ellen Cohen Mehlhorn

Words can never describe this woman's influence on individuals as well as any community into which she was placed. All we can do is be grateful we were a part of her sphere......"don't cry because it's over; smile because it happened."