GRAY – Nancy E Sawyer, 81, of Gray, passed away on July 28 after a brief illness. She was a sister, a mother, an aunt, and a wonderful friend, but known to all as Nunna.

Nancy was born in Princeton, Maine Feb. 9, 1941. Her family moved to Portland in her early teenage years.

She met and married Robert E Sawyer in 1960. He was a cab driver and she was a waitress and between the two of them saving their tip money they were able to purchase their first home in South Portland. Their two children, Cynthia Lee and Christopher Robert, were born there. Nancy and Robert were amazing parents, actively involved in their children’s lives. All the neighborhood kids loved to play at the Sawyer house.

Nancy had a long career in banking with Maine National Bank and then later KeyBank. She was president of the American Businesswomen Association and was actively involved in local politics.

She switched gears in midlife to start working in the mental health field for Ingraham Volunteers. She trained on the hotline and then later became a caseworker and substance abuse counselor at one of the adult homes in the Portland area.

She switched gears once again when her son, Chris and daughter-in-law, Mary announced they were going to be having twins! Abraham Christopher Sawyer and Sophie Mae Sawyer were her first born grandchildren. Finn Bean Mahan and Maggie Sawyer Mahan would come soon after. The four grandchildren, Nancy, her daughter Cindy, her son, Chris and his wife, Mary would have many adventures together that we will always cherish.

Nancy loved to travel. Her wanderlust took her to London, Boston, New York City, Texas, Florida, Martha’s Vineyard, the Cayman Islands and beyond!

She was incredibly well read and appreciated art of all kinds. All of her children and grandchildren know who Tchaikovsky is and how to recite poetry by rote.

Nancy never met a cashier at the Hannaford she didn’t like. She has many beloved friends, some new and some she’s had for decades.

She treasured her years living on Crystal Lake.

Nancy leaves behind her daughter Cynthia Mahan of New Gloucester; and her grandchildren Finn and Maggie; her daughter-in-law Mary Sawyer of Gray; and grandchildren Sophie and Abraham. She also leaves behind her “sister blister,” Lynn Violette of Manchester, N.H.; well as extended family of great nieces and great nephews.

She was predeceased by her son Christopher Robert Sawyer and her brother, Danni King.

We will all miss her greatly.