Obituary of Nancy Geswell

Nancy D. (Potter) Geswell, a life-long resident of Burlington, passed away unexpectedly following an extended illness on Saturday morning, August 8, 2015. The beloved wife of Arthur 'A.J.' Geswell, Jr. She was 44 years old. Born in Boston, Nancy was raised and educated in Burlington and was a 1989 graduate of Burlington High School. After high school, Nancy went on to receive her Bachelor’s Degree from Merrimack College and her MBA and Masters Degree in Finance from Bentley University. Nancy enjoyed watching as well as participating in many different activities. Nancy & A.J. met through mutual friends and they dated for many years before marrying in September 2003. Together Nancy & A.J. made many special memories traveling to such destinations as Hawaii, California and visiting Disney World. They made their home in Burlington, where they welcomed their two children, Robbie age 9 and Katherine age 6. Together as a family they enjoyed trips to Storyland, Santa's Village, and York's Wild Animal Kingdom. Nancy enjoyed watching Robbie and Katherine play their many sports and was very happy about attending Katherine's first dance recital. Nancy worked as a Corporate Controller for HealthcareSource in Woburn and Waste Systems International where she held the position of Treasurer. Nancy kept herself busy by becoming involved in various activities including Treasurer of the Francis Wyman PTO. She had a very close relationship with her parents whom she was devoted to. She was a devoted and loving mother. Throughout the Geswell home, you will find notes and drawings done by the children that express their love for their mom as well as numerous pictures of the wonderful life the four shared together. Although Nancy’s life ended too soon, she will be remembered as a woman with a beautiful smile who was thoughtful, caring and devoted to her family. Nancy was the beloved wife of Arthur 'A. J.' Geswell, Jr. Loving mother of Robert “Robbie” and Katherine. Devoted daughter of Robert & Diane Potter of Burlington. Sister of Christopher Potter & his wife Andrea of VA. Daughter-in-law of Patricia Russas & her husband Dennis of Watertown and Arthur Geswell & his wife Dale of Manchester By The Sea. Sister-In-Law of Tricia & John LaFauci of Billerica and Julia Geswell of Manchester By The Sea. Granddaughter of Ann Russas of Watertown. Niece of Carol Hurteau, Susan Aucoin and Patricia Tavitian. Nancy is also survived by many loving aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Funeral from the Edward V. Sullivan Funeral Home, 43 Winn St., BURLINGTON (Exit 34 off Rt. 128, Woburn side) on Thursday, August 13th at 9 a.m. Followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at St. Margaret’s Church, 111 Winn St., Burlington at 10 a.m. Visiting hours on Wednesday from 4-8 p.m. Interment in Pine Haven Cemetery, Burlington. In lieu of flowers, Memorial’s in Nancy’s name may be made to the Geswell Children Memorial Fund, C/O Northern Bank & Trust Co., 13 Center St., Burlington, MA 01803. Eulogy by Aunt Carol Hurteau I always wondered how someone who loses someone so dear to them could stand in front of a large congregation and try to eulogize that person. It seemed too emotional and stressful. But when Nancy died, I felt such a loss and terrible sadness- I felt we let her down and couldn’t make her better. Of course I wish we could have, and she would have continued to enjoy her life with her much loved family and friends. But that was not to be. Thank you all for coming today to remember Nancy and support her parents, husband, and children. I was Auntie Carol to my lovely niece Nancy, and sister to Nancy’s loving and devoted mother Diane. Although Nancy was diagnosed with a progressive neurological disease many years ago, she passed away very unexpectedly in her sleep and left us all in shock. We ALL want to say eloquent things when someone dies and in the past few days I have read and heard heartfelt memories and funny stories from many of the special people in her life including her dear friend Missy, her glued to the hip childhood friend Linda, and her cousin Julie. These stories and memories were wonderful to hear, especially for her parents-there were many stories and memories that her parents and many others heard for the first time-especially that DELIBERATE poison ivy story Nancy and her friend Linda concocted in attempt to get out of going to school. It is so true that it is the little things, the little events that make up most of a person’s life. Special holidays spent with family, memorable outings with friends, a walk around Horn Pond with your mother, or just a quick visit with loved ones. Everyone has their own special memories or stories when someone leaves this world, and I hope these special memories bring you comfort and allow you to go back and remember Nancy with smiles and warmth. I remember a dear friend who was terminally ill, and her wish was never to be forgotten. I think we all feel that way. So when the pain of loss lessens, please don’t forget the pretty, smiling face of the Nancy we will ALWAYS remember. I would always tell people that I was Nancy’s favorite aunt-but of course that was in my opinion and NEVER said it front of my sister Susan-who was her Godmother. One of my first recollections of Nancy was her cowlick that stuck straight up in the front of her hair when she was a baby, and the blanket and finger that her mouth was attached to until it almost totally disintegrated (the blanket not the finger). I remember the lap she always loved to sit in (of course that would be her mother’s). I remember our days at Hampton Beach-Nancy was the always the first of the cousin kids to help out with anything (Robbie you get that from your mother) and she was especially fond of vacuuming for some reason- one of my favorite pictures is with her vacuuming our cottage with a BIG smile on her face. Her cousin Julie and Aunt Susan fondly remembers Nancy’s contagious and hearty laugh- a laugh that was sadly missed during her illness but was so often heard in the laugh of her daughter. Nancy loved athletics-especially softball and swimming, she was known to be part fish, and she eventually went on to become a lifeguard. She was also the baker extraordinaire in our family. When there was a family gathering-Nancy always brought the anise cookies and brownies-I have her recipes but could never duplicate hers. I remember how hard she worked-sometimes two or three jobs at a time and how determined she was to get a good education. I remember how successful she was at Merrimack College, then along to Bentley College where she earned two Master’s degrees. She was a financial wizard-she had such energy that made us all envious. When we were younger, my sisters Diane, Susan and I would try and get all the cousins together-Christopher, Nancy, Michael, Julie, Marybeth and Danielle. Cousins have such a special place in childhood. Those days as young cousins are carefree days, going to the beach, hanging around in each others basements, playing in the yard, and family birthdays and holidays. Nancy and her cousin Michael were a year apart in age and he was her partner in crime-sometimes they ganged up against Julie-but just in fun and she now thinks of those days with a smile. Of course ALL the cousins were afraid of Christopher-he was the oldest and loved to be the authority SCARY figure. We all have aspirations for our children. We want our children to grow to be happy and healthy adults and to stay connected with family. Nancy was ALWAYS connected and loved her family-which later on included the Geswell family. A.J.‘s family adored Nancy and she loved them-they were all meant to be part of Nancy’s family. As a mother, my heart aches for Nancy’s parents, husband and children. She SO adored her mother and father and was always so kind, considerate, caring and loving. She would always send her parents the most beautiful cards-full of such sentiment. I would get a little jealous and wanted to pretend my kids sent them to me. She was the BEST girlfriend and later on wife to the love of her life A. J.. It certainly was a LONG courtship, but they were each other’s best friend. During the last several years of her illness-her parents were always there-at a moments notice to help out during this very difficult time. Diane was more than a grandmother-she took on so much of the mothering of Robbie and Katherine when Nancy’s illness progressed-but she was always telling them wonderful stories of their mother and how much their mother loved them. And of course Grampie Bob would often chauffeur the kids back and forth to activities and always be rooting them on in all their sporting events. My sister says she wished she gave Nancy one last hug-but Nancy knew she was so loved by her parents and especially knew that during her illness. They were totally devoted to her and only wished they could have made her better. Nancy’s real claims to fame are her two beautiful children-Robbie and Katherine (often known as mini-Nancy). She loved them to the moon and back. Both children adored their mother and during her illness-they took such special care to make sure she knew how much she was loved. Robbie and Katherine-I hope you ALWAYS know you have a mother- she now lives in your heart and in sweet memories. When I would see Nancy-we would ALWAYS say good-by with the tightest of hugs and I would say ‘I love you sweetie” and she would say “I love you Auntie” “I LOVE YOU SWEETIE” but I SO miss your hug.