Nancy K. Griswold, 87, of Mattapoisett passed peacefully on May 22, 2026. Born on September 12, 1938, to Katherine and Ralph Hill, she grew up in Walpole and graduated from Walpole High School.
Nancy earned her bachelor’s degree from Middlebury College and master’s degree from Lesley University. A gifted educator, she enjoyed a long career as a beloved elementary school teacher. She began teaching in US military schools in Japan and the Philippines, then spent many years in Norfolk and Burlington schools. She retired in 2003 and moved to Mattapoisett where’d she’d spent every summer since childhood at her happy place on the shores of Point Connett.
Always active and involved in her community, Nancy didn’t slow down in retirement. She was a longtime member of Saint Gabriel’s Episcopal Church in Marion and volunteered with South Coast organizations including Gifts to Give, Habitat for Humanity, The Rotch-Jones-Duff House, and Sippican Historical Society. She was quick to offer help and support wherever and whenever needed. Nancy was a fierce advocate for her family, friends, and students and gave generously of her time and resources.
Her many interests included antiquing, gardening, reading, and travel. Beginning in her teens when she lived in Spain as an exchange student, travel was especially important. She loved experiencing the worlds’ wonders and spent time on every continent except Australia. One of her favorite international adventures took place when she was in her mid-70s and visited Antarctica to see whales and study penguins.
Nancy was preceded in death by her parents, her brother, John E. Hill and sister-in-law Barbara J. Hill of Walpole, and her husband, Rev. John A. Griswold. A beloved mother, mother-in-law and grandmother, Nancy is survived by her three daughters and nine grandchildren, Krista (Robby) Russell and grandsons Anders and Graham of Atlanta, GA, Greta (Tim) Fox and grandsons Gavin, Bennett, Davis and Sawyer of Mattapoisett and Bluffton, SC, and Elisa (Joseph) Dupre and grandson Jed and granddaughters Molly and Edie of Mattapoisett.
A memorial service will be held at Point Connett later this summer.
