Nan (Myerson) Evans

Nan Myerson Evans, 1944 – 2021

Nan Myerson Evans, 76, of Onset, Mass, beloved wife of David G. Evans for 44 years, passed away peacefully at home Friday, February 26, 2021.

Nan was born in Cambridge and grew up in Lexington. She received a BA from the University of Chicago, a MSW from Antioch/Cambridge College and a JD from the New England School of Law. Nan was predeceased by her sister, Alice Myerson of Bronx, NY, as well as her parents, David John Myerson and Edith Small Myerson of Wareham. Nan lived for many years in Allston-Brighton, and briefly in Milan and London.

Nan is survived by her husband, David Evans of Onset, her sister Rachel Kuklinski of Wareham, and her children Eric, Rebecca, Jacob and Nic, their partners and children, and her sister Alice’s daughter, Alethea Pace, of the Bronx.

Trained on the cello in Boston and at Kinhaven, Nan moved to the more-easily carried guitar as the times were changing. She loved music from classical to folk ‘n rock (the tag from an Australian band, The Waifs; don’t say it fast.) Live performances were best; the year of COVID has been a tough one.

Nan studied acting at the Actors Workshop of Boston and it was at the closing party of a performance of Antigone Nan had directed that she and Dave met. (Actually, the second time, but that’s another story.)

Nan was a life-long progressive, remembered picketing Woolworths for segregated lunch counters long ago. She decried the current state of politics, not to mention the environment. She had been active in Boston politics and activism when she and Dave lived in Ward 21. As an attorney, she pursued cases involving civil rights, discrimination and disability, for GBLS and on her own. Nan had recently been a member of the Wareham Charter Review Committee and enjoyed becoming involved in local matters.

Her Grandpa Tom often took his family boating in Boston Harbor, when it was still the dirty water, and Nan was the one who stood by Tom at the helm in the wind and spray. Boating and just being on (even near!) the water was her great love. In her years in Onset, Nan and Dave graduated from a Ranger 23, Blue Parrot, through a Freedom 28, Jabberwocky, to a Sabre 34, Hickory Wind, with many summer sails around Buzzards Bay and north to the islands and anchorages of Penobscot Bay, Maine. Last year’s dark-side move to an Albin 27FC mini-trawler, March Hare, was to make boating simpler, but COVID (that again!) and back problems made for a short season. Nan held great memories of the times they chartered in the Leeward Islands decades ago and, more recently, the Florida Keys.

A friend had warned of the progression: sailboat, motorboat, motor home, nursing home; Nan had said she was not going any further. We trust Nan now sails in smooth waters with 12-knot winds (unlike Buzzards Bay).

A remembrance event will be held in late summer (as if plans can be made these days).

In lieu of flowers and casseroles, contributions can be made in Nan’s name to The Coalition for Buzzards Bay  or The Narrows Center for the Arts please see the links at the bottom of the page.

Thanks to the always fast and helpful Onset and Wareham EMTs as well as the Tobey ER staff who brought us cookies and water.

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