OWLS HEAD and ROCKLAND — Nancy L. McIntosh, 79, died peacefully, surrounded by her children March 7, 2013, at her home in Rockland.

Born in Rockland June 1, 1933, she was the daughter of Donald and Helen Feeney Leach. Educated locally, she was a 1951 graduate of Rockland High School. Following graduation Nancy attended the University of Maine at Orono, where she earned a bachelor's degree in home economics.

For a brief time, Mrs. McIntosh taught at Thornton Academy. On Aug. 7, 1955, she married Robert McIntosh in Rockland. Together they resided on Woodland Street in Rockland most of their married life. It was out of this home that Nancy operated the Peter Rabbit Nursery School for many years. She finished her career as the home economics teacher for the Rockland School District at the junior high and high schools.

Although she officially retired in 1989, Nancy stayed busy and continued sharing her knowledge and love of all things domestic by spending as much time as possible with her grandchildren. She took great pleasure in teaching them how to cook and doing arts and crafts with them.

Always the consummate hostess, Nancy loved entertaining and greatly enjoyed hosting weekly bean dinners and themed dinner parties in her home. More recently she looked forward to monthly lunch dates with high school classmates that still lived in the area. Nancy was also a member of the Owls Head Garden Club.

Throughout their marriage, Nancy and Robert spent many happy summers at their family camp on Seven Tree Pond in Union. Fishing trips to Rangeley were also favorite pastimes. After the death of her husband, Nancy most recently resided in a cottage at Bartlett Woods with her faithful four-legged companion Max the schnauzer. Her family said she was extremely happy there and enjoyed the company of the many friends she made.

Predeceased by her husband in May of 2009, Nancy is survived by her son, Todd McIntosh and his wife, Sue Cohen, of Cumberland; her daughters, Kathryn Pace and her husband, Jon, of Belle Mead, N.J., and Karyn Willis and her husband, Jason, of Rockland; eight grandchildren, Cameron, Taylor and Ella McIntosh, Braden Gamage, Annie and Katie Willis, and Hannah and Sam Pace; a brother-in-law Todd McIntosh and his wife, Martha, and their daughter, Jennifer, all of Lincolnville; and a sister-in-law, Jan McIntosh of Manchester, Conn.

At Nancy's request, all services are private.

To share a memory or condolence with Nancy's family, visit her Book of Memories at www.bchfh.com.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Owls Head Garden Club, c/o Susan Cran, 11 Benner Lane, Owls Head, Maine 04854.

Arrangements are in the care of Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home in Rockland.