Nancy Tyler Allyn

Change of Date and Time Notice: March 1 at 2pm. 

Nancy Tyler Allyn, 96
Yarmouth – Nancy Tyler Allyn, 96, died peacefully Thursday morning January 23,
2025 at The Osher Inn in Portland.
Nancy was born on December 6, 1928 in Wellesley Hills, MA, the oldest child of
Richard Molineaux Tyler and Dorothy Middleton Tyler. Nancy had many fond
memories of her early childhood in Wellesley; she then moved to Falmouth, ME at
the age of 13, graduating from Waynflete School. She loved sharing stories of her
many snowstorm travels to and from school with her father and younger sister,
Lee. Nancy then attended Bradford Junior College before going to study at the Art
Institute of Chicago, during which time she was able to live with her maternal aunt
and grandmother.
After completing her studies in Chicago, Nancy was hired to design the windows
for Jordan Marsh at one of the country’s first shopping malls in Framingham, MA.
Nancy met her future husband Robert “Bob” Steen Allyn here and they were
married on July 2, 1955. At the time Bob was teaching at Choate School in CT
where Nancy made very close friends, including John and Mary Lincoln who were
very supportive of Bob and Nancy as they started their family. In 1962 the family
moved to Yarmouth, Maine.
Nancy and Bob spoiled their children with unconditional love and support.
Without a TV for many years, Nancy and Bob would read to the children, often
while strolling between bedrooms. Nancy’s mantra on any day, was that her
children must “get outside”, if rain were encountered, she was more than happy to
help build dams in the street. Participation in Little League was vetoed the first
year because it would interfere with the family’s dinner hour, a time of very robust
discussions and learning for her children. As her children headed off to school,
Nancy initially ran a cooperative nursery school (a source of much joy and many
stories), worked at Merrill Memorial Library and the House of Stiles. Nancy’s
love of books was hard to describe, she would often read 3-4 at once and remained
very connected to the library and the town’s local bookstore. As her short-term
memory started to fail, she rejoiced in being able to reread many books. Her other
passions were her grandchildren, fashion, a Harmon’s cheeseburger on Saturdays
with her sister, visits to Ogunquit, art, painting, and people; when encountering
others in town, her children would not be greeted with a “Hi”, but rather a
question, “How’s your mother?”.

In recent years, Nancy resided at the Osher Inn. She became a huge fan of the
activities provided, most importantly: Arts & Crafts, Book Club, Blackjack, and
Bingo. The staff and volunteers at the Osher Inn spoiled Nancy.
Nancy is survived by her son John “Jordy” and his wife Gail of Yarmouth,
daughter Dorothy “Dee” Packer of Yarmouth, son Robert “Tad” and his wife Kate
of Seattle; sister Lee Robbins of Falmouth; many grandchildren (and their spouses)
Megan Currie (James), Andrew Allyn (Sarah Horn), and Brian Allyn (Lauren) and
their mother Rebecca Allyn, Gail’s daughter Kaitlynn Saldanha (Paul Vriend),
Tyler, Ben (Sandra), and Emily Packer and their father Kevin Packer, Elizabeth
and Eric Allyn, as well as 5 great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
Nancy is predeceased by her husband Bob, brother Richard Tyler, daughter Amy,
and grandson Matthew Allyn.
The family would especially like to thank Nancy’s companions Pam Hobson and
Grace Kendrick, many close friends, David Polisner MD, the staff of the Osher Inn
and Northern Light Hospice for their care of Nancy and support of her family.
Arrangements provided by Wilson’s Funeral Home Gray. A service will be held at
2 pm on March 1, 2025 at St. Bartholomew’s Episcopal Church, 396 Gilman
Road Yarmouth, ME 04096.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Merril Memorial Library (215 Main St.
Yarmouth, ME 04096) or St. Bartholomew’s Episcopal Church. 396 Gilman Road, Yarmouth, ME 04096

( The Service Will be Live Streamed.) 

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