Nancy Marshall Richter-Bohannon, 87, a former resident of Craftsbury, died April 26, 2019, in Katy, Texas.
She was born in Lowell, Mass., Nov. 30, 1931, daughter of Stella (Conti) and Dr. Orland S. Marshall, and grew up in Billerica, Mass. She followed in her mother’s independent footsteps by enjoying fishing, skeet shooting and going to horse races with her father.
After graduation from Howe High School, she sought formal education in design and art. Nancy then moved to Wood, S.D., near the Badlands, to be close to her sister Judith and her young family. There, she met and later married rancher and contractor Henry “Babe” Richter on July 7, 1955, and they raised three children.
In 1981, at age 50, Nancy resumed her education at the University of South Dakota School of Nursing in Rapid City, graduating with honors at the top of her class, earning a bachelor’s degree in nursing and becoming a registered nurse, a lifelong dream.
She served at the Veterans Administration Hospital in Sturgis, S.D., from which she retired. She then worked as an educator with a Montessori school in Rapid City.
After 44 years together, Babe died in 1999. The next summer, Nancy decided to move to Craftsbury “to take care of her sister.” Soon, Nancy reconnected with her childhood sweetheart, Richard “Dick” Bohannon, and they married Jan. 20, 2002. They enjoyed a rich and active life until Dick’s death in 2011.
Nancy continued to be active in the Craftsbury community until she moved March 15 of this year to Katy, Texas, to be near her son Peter.
Her death was peaceful, in the company of her children and family.
Nancy will be remembered for her deep and compassionate care for others, her hospitality, her kindness to all, and deep, enduring love for her extended family. She loved her home and worked continually to make it welcoming and beautiful. She loved her many dogs that helped her through life and she made their lives wonderful, too.
Her husbands, Babe Richter and Dick Bohannon, died earlier, as did her sister, Judith Marshall Brown, and her parents.
Survivors include her children, David Richter and wife Joanne, Susan Richter and husband Louis, and Peter Richter and wife Allyson; her brother Dr. John Q. Marshall and wife Mary; a brother-in-law, the Rev. Arnold M. Brown; a sister-in-law, Eva Marshall; her “Vermont” family members Gretchen Brown-Boudreau, Belinda Brown and Phil Lovely; and many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews and compassionate caregivers, especially her caring and loving friend Julie Morin. She was especially honored for the extra time she was able to share with her first grandchild, Seth Richter.
Memorial services and a celebration of life for Nancy are being planned for South Dakota and Vermont in August.
Donations may be made in her memory to the United Church of Craftsbury, or an Alzheimer’s organization or animal rescue group of your choice.
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