Mother of Four

As an only child, Nancy had dreamed of having a large family someday. She wanted four children, two boys and two girls, and that's exactly what she got:

• Christopher Hawkins, Sept. 29, 1952
• Jennifer Anne, October 12, 1954
• Elizabeth Ely, April 9, 1957
• David Douglas, November 4, 1961

A stay-at-home mom for most of her children's lives, Nancy took her mothering seriously: trips to the library, playing piano while the kids banged on rhythm instruments, homemade Halloween costumes (and homemade lollipops to hand out to trick-or-treaters), lessons in manners and etiquette, helping with homework, and, always, a rigid enforcement of the rules of grammar.

Born in four different states, Nancy's kids now live in four different states, but they continue to be very close and get together when they can.