Obituary of Nancy Mills Mallett

After spending a wonderful week with family and friends at her lake house New Hampshire, Nancy Mallett passed peacefully at her home in Basking Ridge, New Jersey on Tuesday July 11, with family by her side. 

Born Nancy Lee Mills to John and Anita Mills on March 22, 1935 in Mount Vernon, New York, Nancy had an older brother Peter whom she adored. Nancy had fond memories of her childhood filled with loving parents, joyful entertaining, family vacations, walks along the beach, and trips to their lake house in Carmel, New York.

After graduating from Roger Ludlowe High School in Fairfield, Connecticut in 1952, where she was actively involved in sports, the school newspaper and the yearbook, Nancy majored in biology at Bates College in Maine. Nancy graduated from Bates in 1956 with a Bachelor’s of Science degree. Nancy was an active, hard-working student with wonderful friends and a cheerful disposition. 

As a young adult, Nancy worked as a research associate for Columbia Presbyterian Hospital in New York where she co-authored several articles for national ophthalmology journals, lectured on a paper for doctors, and had one of her articles included in a book The Structure of the Eye.

After a blind date arranged by dear friends and six-month engagement, Nancy and Russ Mallett were married at Saint Paul's Episcopal Church in Fairfield, Connecticut on October 22, 1960.

Nancy created a warm, loving, supportive home for Russ and their four active children. Nancy’s family has wonderful memories of trips to the beach, pool, museums and, especially, the family lake house in New Hampshire. In addition to volunteering extensively in the community and in her children’s lives, Nancy was a deacon and elder in the Presbyterian Church, as well as a trustee for Bates College and an active member of Bates’ alumni network.

Nancy will be remembered by many as a loving wife, wonderful mother, caring grandparent, and devoted friend. Nancy’s husband Russ passed on March 3, 2022. Nancy is survived by her four children Russ (Ruth), John (Tricia) David (Rhea), and Kathy; thirteen grandchildren Katherine (Carl), Russell (Leah), Andrew, Kerry, Jack, Joseph, Vincent, Max, Mirabel, Brianna, Kaila, Jenna, and Colin; and a beautiful network of extended family and friends.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Bates College or Basking Ridge Presbyterian Church.