Obituary of Nancy Drake Maggard

Nancy Ruth Drake Maggard died Sunday, November 24, 2019. She was born to Frank Stoddard Drake and Ruth Elizabeth Simpson Drake in Cincinnati, OH, on September 19, 1928. She and her younger sister Barbara were raised in Fort Thomas, KY and the family later moved to Larchmont, NY, which became her longtime home. She graduated from Mamaroneck High School and attended Sweet Briar College. After many years of emphasizing the importance of higher education to her children, she completed her BA at Empire State College. Undaunted, she continued to graduate school, receiving her MA from General Theological Seminary in 1993.

Nancy met John Rutherford “Jock” Maggard through friends and, after dating for several months, he showed up at her office in the Pan Am building and professed his desire to marry her. She clocked out early from work, and they celebrated at the Oyster Bar. They married in 1950 and had 8 children. The Maggards loved a good party with their many Larchmont friends, and for many years welcomed several families to their Christmas Eve parties with potent eggnog and boisterous renditions of “12 Days of Christmas.”

For many years, Nancy worked as an interior decorator, and loved creating beautiful and welcoming rooms. One of her favorite activities was weighing in on the decorating decisions of her daughters, all of whom would bring bags of fabric swatches and wallpaper samples for her review.

Her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren loved visiting, knowing they would find a warm welcome, fresh flowers, lots of laughter, delicious food and wise guidance.

Nancy loved doling out life advice, including some family favorites: “nothing good happens after midnight,” “there’s no better feeling than a clean counter,” and “there is no beauty in chaos.” Her family loved to regale her with stories of how they agreed (or not) with her counsel, and she was never happier than when holding court in a room full of her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Nancy is survived by her devoted husband of 69 years and their children (and spouses): Mary Maggard Hays (“Whis”); Nancy Maggard Richey Prichard (Thomas); John Oliver Maggard (Christina Battalia); William Drake Maggard (Margaret); Jane Rutherford Maggard; Robert Harold Maggard (Amedee); Jeffrey Drake Maggard (Victoria); and Susanna Maggard Farnham (Alan) and by 18 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.

A Celebration of her life will be held at St. John’s Church, Larchmont, NY at 11:00 am on Saturday, December

14, 2019.