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Nancy Wheeler died Sept. 8. She was born on Sept. 16, 1923, in Orange, the daughter of the late Hazel Carmichael Monks and the late Stiles Dennison Woodruff, and was raised on the S.D. Woodruff and Sons Seed Company farm in Orange.

Nancy’s ancestors originally settled in Farmington in 1640 and were one of the original settled families in Milford/Orange in 1668. The S.D. Woodruff and Sons Seed Company was founded in 1865 by Nancy’s great-grandfather; the company later became Asgrow, a present-day subsidiary of Monsanto.

Nancy followed in her mother’s footsteps by attending Wheaton College, a women’s college in Norton, Massachusetts, earning her bachelor’s degree in entomology in 1945. Nancy was later accepted into the John Hopkins Medical School. She choose, however, to pursue a career with the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, authoring several articles on the effects of insecticides on Connecticut, published by the Journal of Economic Entomology.

Nancy married the late Gardner E. Wheeler, Jr., in 1951, settling in Branford in the first house to be built on Sunset Hill, sharing their lives together for 48 years.

With her husband Gardner an active member of the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary XVII for 59 years, Nancy supported the Women’s Seaman’s Friend Society of Connecticut as president from 2003 through 2009. She was an honorary trustee of the non-profit organization until her passing.

The church was an integral part of Nancy’s identity; she remained involved with it throughout her life. As an active 66-year member at the First Congregational Church of Branford, she was the treasurer for 5 years, on the Stewardship Committee for 6 years, and held several other positions.

Nancy volunteered as senior trustee and chairman for more than 60 years at Pine Orchard Union Chapel, planning the 4th of July annual parades and weddings. She helped develop creative arts and swimming programs, which her four children attended every summer. Nancy led the preservation effort that resulted in the Chapel’s listing in the U.S. National Register of Historical Places in 2000.

Nancy remained active with Wheaton, serving on the Executive Board of the Alumni Association, and receiving the Alumni Achievement Award in 2004. She was a long-time member of the New Haven Lawn Club, a former Junior West End member, and also worked at the Connecticut Savings Bank.

Nancy is survived by her children Peter Wheeler (Mary Jane Engle), Clinton; Wendy Carmichael Wheeler (Shawn Reilly), Stony Creek; Sarah Wheeler Monyette (Mark), Suwanee, Georgia; and Amy Wheeler Palella (Charles)Ho-Ho-Kus, New Jersey. She is also survived by grandchildren Jonathan and Erin Wheeler, Charles, Andrew, and Lisette Palella, Alain, Russell, and Seth Monyette, and Sean and Sarah Reilly; and great-grandchildren Jackson and Cooper Staab.

Nancy and her late brother, Stiles Dennison Woodruff, are survived by their brother John Ormsby Monks (Linda Francis).

There will be a memorial service at the First Congregational Church of Branford 1:00 pm Saturday, September 15. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in her honor to the Pine Orchard Union Chapel or First Congregational Church of Branford. Please see her online memorial at www.wsclancy.com.