Nancy J. (Downing) Fletcher, 79, of Mattapoisett died Saturday, December 31, 2022 peacefully in her home surrounded by her family after a long illness. Born in New Bedford, Nancy was the daughter of the late Harry and Ellen (Heuberger) Downing. She was a lifelong resident of Mattapoisett who attended Fairhaven High School and later graduated from UMass Amherst. Her career spanned over four decades, first as a primary school teacher in Falmouth, MA and later at Friends Academy in North Dartmouth, MA, where she taught 1st and 2nd grade for 32 years.
Nancy retired just short of her 70th birthday and turned her focus to her many lifelong hobbies and interests which included tennis, golf, tending to her extensive gardens, basketmaking, reading and puzzles. She was a member of the Mattapoisett Congregational Church, Mattapoisett Womens’ Club, Sippican Tennis Club and Kittansett Club.
She is survived by her husband of 56 years, Frank L. Fletcher; her sons, Thomas B. Fletcher (wife Kristin) of Stamford CT, and Stephen L. Fletcher of Mattapoisett; her twin brother, Harry B. Downing Jr of Wareham; her younger brother, David Downing of Mattapoisett; and several nieces and nephews.
She was the sister of the late Ruth Sundquist.
Her Memorial Visitation will be held Saturday, January 14, 2023 from 1-4 PM in the Saunders-Dwyer Mattapoisett Home for Funerals, 50 County Rd., Mattapoisett. Her burial in Cushing Cemetery will take place privately at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Nancy’s name can be made to Southcoast Health Visiting Nurses Association, https://www.southcoast.org/visiting-nurse-association/donate/. For directions and guestbook, visit www.saundersdwyer.com.
