Nancy Jean Carlston

Nancy Jean Carlston passed away on August 23, 2020 after a long, debilitating struggle with numerous health issues, most recently a gastrointestinal infection.  Until recently, she made her home in Tega Cay, SC, with her beloved dog Biscuit.  Nancy moved south to be in close proximity to her sister Mary and brother-in-law Frank Wilkinson, and her niece Michele Cobbina and family. Since her move to South Carolina over 14 years ago, she has been lovingly cared for by Michele, Michele’s husband George and their children Joshua and Gabrielle.  Most recently Nancy lived at Park Point Village in Rock Hill, SC.

Born on October 7, 1936, to Ramon R. and Genevieve P. Carlston, in New York, NY, Nancy grew up in New Rochelle, NY, and attended high school at The Ursuline School in New Rochelle.  She was an avid athlete, winning numerous tennis and table tennis titles, including the girls’ and women’s championship of the Westchester table tennis tournament in 1952. At 16, she was the youngest champion ever to hold that title. While in high school, Nancy fell during a basketball game and seriously damaged her back, an injury that plagued her for the rest of her life.

Nancy received an undergraduate degree from the Sargent College of Physical Education, Boston University in 1955, attended the College of the Holy Cross, and graduated from the University of Connecticut School of Nursing in 1959.  Nancy worked as a registered nurse at New Rochelle Hospital, then at Boston-area hospitals before teaching in the nursing program at Massachusetts Bay Community College. She lived in Newton, MA, while continuing her education with courses to update her nursing skills, as well as related fields, including a data processing course at Iona College in 1965.

Growing up, Nancy was a reluctant pianist, though she performed in numerous recitals with her sister Mary.  Nancy adored animals and was never without at least one or two dogs by her side.  They brought her great joy and companionship throughout her life.

Nancy was a skilled bridge player, where she exhibited her fierce intellect and competitive spirit.  She enjoyed traveling with her parents and visiting her siblings and their children. She will be remembered by her nieces and nephews as the aunt who treated them as adults, but was always ready to play, whether it was ping pong, darts, board games, cards or just running around with her dogs.

Nancy is survived by her sister-in-law, Jean L. Carlston and nieces: Ann H. and Jeff Kramer of Glastonbury, CT; Kimberly and Tim Miller of Wilmette, IL; Susan and Paul Graven of Redondo Beach, CA; as well as the children of her sister Mary Wilkinson including: Catherine W. and Neal A. Konstantin of Rowayton, CT; Gail W. Roby and fiancé Kevin Cloniger of High Point, NC; James M. and Michelle D. Wilkinson of Surrey, UK; Michele W. and M. George Cobbina of Tega Cay, SC; Stephen R. Wilkinson and Dr. Deborah Gruber-Wilkinson of New York City, and her great nieces and nephews: Hunter, Katherine and John Kramer; Melissa, Nathaniel and Erin Miller; Andrew and Henry Graven; Miles, Grace and Sophia Konstantin; Nicholas, Timothy and Genevieve Roby; Alexander and Michael Wilkinson; Joshua and Gabrielle Cobbina. She was pre-deceased by her beloved brother John A. Carlston and her loving sister Mary, as well as her half-sisters Patricia Larson and Joan Beckman.

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