Nancy Haymes Tieszen

Nancy Haymes Tieszen, age 97, passed away peacefully on Saturday, July 20 in her home at Goddard House, Brookline. Born in Raleigh, North Carolina, Nancy spent her formative years in Springfield, Missouri. She graduated from Purdue University in 1949 and began her graduate studies in statistics there where she met her future husband, Mel Tieszen. Married in 1952, they stayed in the Midwest, settling in the Chicago area where they raised their family. She is survived by her three children, Lisa (David Adams), Lori (Tom Gilhooly), and John (Lesa Tieszen); three grandchildren, Mercer Gary (Ben Randolph), Hannah Tieszen, and Jack Tieszen.

Nancy worked tirelessly to support her husband in their business, Flavor Tree Foods, until it was sold in the 1980’s.  Nancy had a great zest for life and adventure, and a keen sense of style and fun, One of the greatest joys of her life was serving as a long-time member of the National Ski Patrol. She was also a Master bridge player, a ballroom dancer, a garden enthusiast, and a Cubs season ticket holder who saw her team make it to the 2016 World Series. She was active in her sorority, Kappa Kappa Gamma, even decades after her graduation. Nancy was persistently curious and loved to travel the world with her husband, children, and friends; some favorite adventures included attending Wimbledon in her 20’s and visits to the Galapagos Islands, Turkey, Greece, France, and Italy. She and her children enjoyed trips to Switzerland, Mexico, New Mexico, Germany and Cuba. Later in life, Nancy enjoyed listening to books on tape, often biographies and mysteries. Nancy spent many years active in Episcopal churches in the western suburbs of Chicago, especially Emmanuel Church, LsGrange. Once settled in Brookline, she joined Grace Church, Newton Corner. Nancy loved life and held onto it tenaciously. She will be remembered for her sense of independence, positivity, perseverance, and for showing up for the people and causes she cared most about. She was widely loved and will be missed by us all.

Private funeral service and burial at Grace Episcopal Church, Newton Corner.

If you wish to make a donation in her memory, please consider the Perkins Institute for the Blind or Hospice of the Good Shepherd.