KENNEBUNK — Nancy Roberts, who owned and operated Billy Goat Landscaping with her husband for the past 32 years, died Monday after a valiant fight against pancreatic cancer. She was 53.
The landscaping company in Kennebunk was established by Nancy and her husband, Tom Roberts, in 1980. She was the bookkeeper, and ran the business from behind the scenes. She also did gardening for some clients.
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Her husband said he followed her direction.
“There were times it was crazy busy and it was stressful, but she loved it,” her husband said. “She loved being able to make everything work out. She liked standing back and looking at the flowers and so forth. It gave her a little bit of satisfaction.”
She grew up in Massachusetts as one of six children. The family moved to Kennebunk in 1971. She graduated from Kennebunk High School in 1977.
In her early years, she was a manager at the Captain Lord Mansion in Kennebunkport. Mrs. Roberts was later employed at W.L. Charles Insurance Co. in Kennebunk.
She was married to her husband for 28 years. They raised a son, Kyle Roberts, of Kennebunk.
Her husband said they met in high school, where she was a year behind him.
Roberts said his wife was an exceptional mother, who devoted her life to family. He said his wife supported their son at his school activities and games.
He said one of her proudest moments was seeing him graduate from the University of Maine in 2011.
Mrs. Roberts was remembered by her family Tuesday as a strong, caring and compassionate woman.
“She was awful caring,” her husband said. “She always thought about my son and myself before her. It always seemed like she did that.”
Mrs. Roberts was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer on June 15, 2010. Her husband said the family was stunned after the initial diagnosis. He said she fought hard when doctors had little hope for her.
In her last days, her family and closest friends sat with her around the clock.
“Her family and her sisters are great,” her husband said. “It’s a very close-knit family. They did a lot together and looked out for each other. In the end, they were right by her side.”
Roberts said he will miss his wife’s companionship.
“It’s just going to be an adjustment,” he said. “It hasn’t set in yet.”
Staff Writer Melanie Creamer can be contacted at 791-6361 or at: mcreamer@pressherald.com
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