SOUTH PORTLAND — Nancy Elaine Widdecombe, 68, died March 26.

She was born in Gardiner on July 19, 1944, the daughter of Arthur B. and Eva Gertrude Ellis Gates.

Widdecombe grew up in Scarborough and was a 1962 graduate of Scarborough High School. After having her four children she went back to school and was a graduate of Nasson College in Sanford. She enjoyed a career as a legal secretary with Bernstein, Shur, Sawyer & Nelson.

Widdecombe was very involved in the activities at her residence, Millcove, in South Portland, where she ran the library. She later moved to Evergreen Manor in Saco. She loved books and had a passion for reading and laughter. She will be remembered for the loving care she provided her family and especially her grandchildren. Everyone lovingly referred to her as “Nana.”

She is survived by her daughters, Deb Fancy and her partner Ray Jett, of Auburn, Brenda Cook and her husband Hugh, of Scarborough, and daughter Tracy  and her partner, James Logan, of Buxton; son Michael Widdecombe and his wife Stacey, of Biddeford; and eight grandchildren, Patrick, Jennifer, Amy, Brian, Henry, Ryder, Madison and Jackson.

A memorial service will be held Saturday at 1 p.m. at Conroy-Tully Crawford South Portland Chapel, 1024 Broadway, South Portland.

Those wishing to remember Widdecombe may make donations in her name to the Animal Refuge League, P.O. Box 336, Westbrook, ME 04098.

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