Obituary of Nancy Thornton Sneath

Nancy Thornton Sneath of Essex, CT, formerly of Riverside, CT., died peacefully on February 24, 2018 at the age of 89. She was pre-deceased by her husband, Bill with whom she shared 67 years of marriage. Her large family was the center of her life. She leaves behind six children, seventeen grandchildren and three great grandchildren. A woman of tremendous energy and talent, she also found time to be the consummate volunteer. Nancy was born in Philadelphia and attended Germantown Friends School. A graduate of Wellesley College, Class of 1950, with a BA in the history of art, Nancy possessed a keen eye for design, color and space which she used for both her own houses and gardens as well as providing much wanted advice to her children. When it came time to put an addition onto the beloved family house in South Londonderry, VT, Nancy sketched out what she wanted on a piece of newspaper and handed it to the architect. Nancy was a model of graciousness. She always took time to learn and remember not only people's names but something important about their life. This was incredibly valuable as she accompanied Bill on his worldwide business travels. Nancy had boundless energy and was an avid fan of her children's and grandchildren's sporting events, concerts and activities. In addition to raising her family and traveling with Bill, Nancy found time for many volunteer activities. These included her long tenure with the Junior League of Greenwich, including a term as President; founder and co-manager of the Clothesline, a consignment shop for youth clothing at St. Paul's Church in Riverside; Trustee of Brunswick School; President of the Southern Ct Wellesley Club; President of the Parent's Committee for St. Lawrence University; chair of the Art Gallery and a member of the Executive Committee of the Resident's Council at Essex Meadows. She was also very active as a volunteer in the Greenwich Public Schools, she volunteered at the Covenant House soup kitchen and for Adopt-A Shelf at the Greenwich Library. After Bill retired, they enjoyed extensive and active travel all over the world. She was an avid gardener, and loved downhill and cross-country skiing, tennis and sailing. She will be very much missed by her loving family. The memorial service will be held on Saturday, March 31st at 2:00pm at St. John's Episcopal Church in Essex, Connecticut. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Essex Meadows Scholarship Fund, Essex Meadows, 30 Bokum Road, Essex, CT 06426. To share a memory of Nancy or send a condolence to her family please visit www.rwwfh.com Arrangements by the Robinson, Wright & Weymer Funeral Home in Centerbrook.