Obituary of Nancy J. Brine

Nancy J. (Winn) Brine, a woman devoted to her family and her faith, passed away with her family by her side, at the Lahey Hospital & Medical Center, on Saturday evening, April 25, 2015. The beloved wife of 52 years to James W. Brine, Jr. she was 76 years old. Nancy was born and raised in Cambridge. She was one of four children born to the late Joseph and Josephine Winn. She was a graduate of Cambridge High & Latin School. Nancy went on to get her teaching degree from Boston State Teaching College. Nancy and Jim met through St. Peter’s Church Youth Organization in Cambridge. They married in 1962 and settled in Burlington that same year where they would raise their 10 children. Nancy worked briefly as a kindergarten teacher in Arlington. As her family grew her role became that of being a supportive wife and a loving mother to her 10 children. Nancy worked with her husband Jim in the family business, Brine's Sporting Goods, working from her home as a Bookkeeper. After her children where grown Nancy went back to work in the teaching field. She worked part-time in the Stoneham school system in the Special Education Department. Nancy was a devout Catholic and she and Jim were longtime parishioners of St. Margaret’s in Burlington. Nancy was the Director of the First Grade Religious Education program for over 7 years. When she retired from that role she was very proud to pass down the reigns of Director to her eldest son Jim. Nancy was the ultimate homemaker. She loved to cook and you never left her home hungry. The holidays were a special time in the Brine household. Nancy loved to decorate her home and had an Annalee doll collection for every holiday. She loved to shop most especially for Christmas presents for her children and grandchildren which gave her great joy. Family vacations included day trips to the beach, trips to Canobie Lake Park, or a week in Lake’s region of New Hampshire. Nancy and Jim eventually purchased a house at Lake Winnisquam in Laconia, NH where they would enjoy having their children and grandchildren visit. She was blessed to have 19 grandchildren that she was very proud of. She was part of their births, baptisms, graduations, school events and was looking forward to the wedding of her granddaughter this September. Nancy leaves a legacy of faith, love and family. Nancy is the beloved wife of James W. Jr. Loving mother of the late James W. Brine, III & his wife Kathleen of Burlington, Joe Brine & his wife Livia of Littleton, Maura Allen of Pepperell, Wendy Gavin & her husband Steve of Groton, Jeff Brine of Billerica, Heidi Melanson & her husband Mark of Burlington, Gary Snow-Brine & his wife Sarah of Wells, ME, Gayle Ford & her husband Matt of Holland, PA, Mark Brine of Haverhill, Scott Brine & his wife Joanne of Duxbury. Sister of Regina Winn of Waltham formerly of Cambridge and the late Joseph & John Winn. Also survived by 19 grandchildren. Funeral from the Edward V. Sullivan Funeral Home, 43 Winn St., BURLINGTON (Exit 34 off Rt. 128, Woburn side) on Wednesday, April 29 at 9 a.m. Followed by a Mass of Christian Burial in St. Margaret’s Church, 111 Winn St., Burlington at 10 a.m. Interment in Mt. Auburn Cemetery, Cambridge. Visiting hours Tuesday 4-8 p.m. To assist with parking, please use shuttle bus service provided from St. Margaret’s Church, Burlington for the wake on Tuesday. Memorials in Nancy’s name may be made to the JWBrineIII Foundation. PO Box 255, Burlington, MA 01803