Obituary for Nancy B Tanzer (Beck)
Nancy B Tanzer, 92, of Marshfield, MA passed away on March 29, 2022. She had been suffering from congestive heart failure.
Nancy was born on March 24, 1930, to Irene and Michael Beck in Elizabeth, New Jersey. After graduating from Haverford High School in Havertown, Pennsylvania she went on to study at the University of Pennsylvania where she graduated with a degree in economics in 1952. At the University, she played lacrosse and was one of the few women enrolled in business classes. She was awarded Phi Beta Kappa for academic excellence, and Who’s Who among Students of American Universities. After graduation, she began her career in advertising and public relations where she met her first husband Duane B. Roach. After starting a family, Nancy completed a master's degree in education at Fairfield University and became a high school history teacher. Throughout her 20-year teaching career in Westport, Connecticut, she positively impacted the lives of students not only in the classroom but also through a variety of ski trips and outdoor backpacking adventures. She loved sailing and spent her summers racing in Long Island Sound. After her children went to college, Nancy became a volunteer Emergency Medical Technician and served the community for several years.
Nancy enjoyed the peacefulness of Vermont, and had a vacation/retirement home built there. During a sabbatical year from teaching, she lived in her Vermont home and earned a second master's degree at Dartmouth College. While there, she met Henry Tanzer who shared her love of the Vermont lifestyle. After retiring to Vermont with Henry, Nancy became a volunteer reenacting historical events at Billings Farm and Museum and giving bird on hand presentations at the Vermont Institute of Natural Science. She enjoyed gardening and playing bridge, was president of the garden club, and was an active member and trustee of the senior center Her love of skiing continued during her retirement and she could be seen on the slopes of Killington and Okemo well into her seventies. Her love of travel brought her to 36 countries including five of the seven wonders of the modern world.
Nancy was predeceased by Duane Roach and Henry Tanzer. She is survived by her daughter Deborah Lasala and husband Jeff of Scituate, Massachusetts, her son Jeff Roach and wife Susan of St. Charles, Missouri, her granddaughter Mary Genthon and her husband Jake of Balwin, Missouri, and the Tanzer and Benjamin families of Massachusetts and Connecticut.
Nancy was passionate about the work of Doctors without Borders, the World Wildlife Fund, and St. Jude’s children’s hospital. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to either of those causes.
Nancy was born on March 24, 1930, to Irene and Michael Beck in Elizabeth, New Jersey. After graduating from Haverford High School in Havertown, Pennsylvania she went on to study at the University of Pennsylvania where she graduated with a degree in economics in 1952. At the University, she played lacrosse and was one of the few women enrolled in business classes. She was awarded Phi Beta Kappa for academic excellence, and Who’s Who among Students of American Universities. After graduation, she began her career in advertising and public relations where she met her first husband Duane B. Roach. After starting a family, Nancy completed a master's degree in education at Fairfield University and became a high school history teacher. Throughout her 20-year teaching career in Westport, Connecticut, she positively impacted the lives of students not only in the classroom but also through a variety of ski trips and outdoor backpacking adventures. She loved sailing and spent her summers racing in Long Island Sound. After her children went to college, Nancy became a volunteer Emergency Medical Technician and served the community for several years.
Nancy enjoyed the peacefulness of Vermont, and had a vacation/retirement home built there. During a sabbatical year from teaching, she lived in her Vermont home and earned a second master's degree at Dartmouth College. While there, she met Henry Tanzer who shared her love of the Vermont lifestyle. After retiring to Vermont with Henry, Nancy became a volunteer reenacting historical events at Billings Farm and Museum and giving bird on hand presentations at the Vermont Institute of Natural Science. She enjoyed gardening and playing bridge, was president of the garden club, and was an active member and trustee of the senior center Her love of skiing continued during her retirement and she could be seen on the slopes of Killington and Okemo well into her seventies. Her love of travel brought her to 36 countries including five of the seven wonders of the modern world.
Nancy was predeceased by Duane Roach and Henry Tanzer. She is survived by her daughter Deborah Lasala and husband Jeff of Scituate, Massachusetts, her son Jeff Roach and wife Susan of St. Charles, Missouri, her granddaughter Mary Genthon and her husband Jake of Balwin, Missouri, and the Tanzer and Benjamin families of Massachusetts and Connecticut.
Nancy was passionate about the work of Doctors without Borders, the World Wildlife Fund, and St. Jude’s children’s hospital. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to either of those causes.