Nancy Boynton ’42 Prindle
Nancy B. Prindle, 102, of Harwich, passed away at home Wednesday, February 8th. Born in Mohawk, NY to her minister father, Arthur Boynton, and English mother, Hannah Elizabeth (Bell) Boynton, she grew up primarily in Harlem, NYC. Graduating early from HS, she claims she really started to live when she attended her beloved Hope College in Holland Michigan. Although she vowed to never marry a minister, somehow her future husband, the Rev Forrest “Woody” R. Prindle, convinced her otherwise, but only if the words “to obey” (prevalent during those times) were removed from the marriage vows. Married in 1944, her husband predeceased her 2 days after her 60th birthday.
Mom/Grandma/Gigi was loving, loyal, giving, positive, and strong in her faith and convictions. She was everyone’s “grandma” or “aunt” whether you were related by blood or not. She was a retired 30-year teacher, a volunteer, a life-long learner, avid reader, and role model to many. She took 2 classes every semester through the Academy for Lifelong Learning (ALL) at the community college, right up to the week before her death. She loved meeting with her friends from her exercise class every month for breakfast, volunteering at the Second Glance Thrift Shop, her book club, and her prayer sisters from church.
She lived the life she wanted, full of travel and new activities – hot air ballooning in Australia, zip lining in Costa Rica, climbing Machu Picchu, exploring the Galapagos, climbing the great wall of China, two African Safaris, the Holy Land, an archaeological dig in Egypt, and visiting her much loved missionary sister in Oman 3 times, among many other trips extending into her 90’s. She loved life, and she swore the keys to her longevity were an orange, Hershey bar with almonds, a glass of wine, and, especially, exercise every day.
She loved being with her family most, especially at her favorite spot at Hedges Lake, surrounded by generations of extended family. Our summers there were (and still are) always full of gatherings, swimming, food, and laughter. She leaves behind a loving and grateful family of her children; Nancy McMorris of Cambridge, NY, Roger Prindle of Grand Rapids, MI, and Barbara Prindle-Eaton (Forrest “Al” Eaton) of Harwich, MA, with whom she resided these past 3 years; 8 grandchildren, Mathew (Bri) McMorris and Lianne (Nash) Alexander, New York; Anastasia and Zachary Prindle, Michigan; Brooke (Tim) Canada, Christine (Greg) Meyer, Catherine (Jesse) Abate, and Andrew Eaton, Cape Cod and Central MA; 10 beloved great-grandchildren; a sister-in-law Irene Boynton, and many nieces and nephews, and their families.
A local Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday February 25th at 11:00 at Pilgrim Congregational Church, Harwich Port, followed by a collation in the parish hall, where all are welcome to gather and share remembrances. A service with extended family and Hedges Lake friends will be held in the summer. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in her name to the Cape & Islands Early Intervention Program/Kennedy Donovan Center or the Missions Committee at Pilgrim Church. Nancy tithed her entire life, in good times and bad, and would encourage others to donate generously to any cause of your choice if not these – the needs are great.