Nancy Emerson Viele
York, Maine - Nancy Emerson Viele, an extraordinarily kind, gracious and loving human being, was surrounded by friends and family at her home when she died and left us during a full moon on August 1, 2023. She was 97.
Possessing many endearing qualities, Nancy’s positive attitude, humor and love of life were infectious. She had a remarkable ability to easily fall into happiness and always found joy in life, even during challenging times. With twinkling eyes and an impish grin she radiated a warmth and generosity that flowed effortlessly and sincerely from her heart. Her down-to-earth elegance and ease of manner made her comfortable to be around and she was always a lot of fun. It was no surprise that she formed so many wonderful and loyal friendships throughout her lifetime.
Nancy was born in Tulsa Oklahoma on November 14, 1925, the daughter of John Ellis Emerson and Madeline Lynch Emerson. In the early 1930s the family moved to Buffalo, New York where her father had business interests. During World War ll they relocated to Titusville, Pennsylvania for a few years before returning to Buffalo after the war. Nancy graduated high school from Abbot Academy in Andover, Massachusetts and went on to earn a bachelor’s degree from the University of Buffalo. It was during those college years that she met her future husband of 70 years, S Thompson Viele. They married in Buffalo’s Saint Paul’s Episcopal Cathedral in 1950 and it was in Buffalo that they raised their four children.
In 1973 the family left Buffalo and moved to their summer home in York, Maine. In 1982 Nancy and her husband Tom moved into the 1794 Emerson Homestead in the center of York Village, becoming the seventh generation of the Emerson family to live there.
Nancy pursued her many and varied interests with great energy, curiosity and enthusiasm. She and her husband Tom shared a common passion for world travel, theater, movies, art and music. She was quite creative, as evidenced by her various artistic endeavors. She became skilled at cooking, photography, flower arranging as well as a number of crafts.
Friends and family were frequent guests in her home where she and Tom loved to entertain. Nancy greatly enjoyed games and her competitive side always showed itself whenever playing tennis or bridge. During her lifetime Nancy volunteered at many community organizations, most often those helping to serve others. She was also a very active member of York’s First Parish Church. Nancy had a keen interest in people from all walks of life and loved to engage them in conversation and learn about their lives.
Nancy is survived by her four children, daughter Catherine W. Viele and her husband Michael Delaney of Ojo Caliente, New Mexico; daughter Lucy L.Viele of South Berwick, Maine; daughter Amy S. Viele and her husband Robert Van Os of Belfast, Maine; and son John E. Viele of Kittery Point, Maine. She was predeceased by her husband S Thompson Viele who died in 2020.
A private memorial ceremony and burial will be held at a later date. Suggested donations in her memory can be made to the Old York Historical Society or York Community Service Association Food Pantry.
For online condolences please visit www.lucaseatonfuneralhome.com