Nancy A. MacNider

OCEAN PARK – The heavenly trumpets called up Nancy A. MacNider, 77, of Ocean Park, on Tuesday, Aug. 9, 2022, from Gosnell Memorial Hospice in Scarborough.

Born Sept. 25, 1944, in Englewood, N.J., she was the daughter of G. Harold and Ann Koschorreck Billingham. She grew up spending her summers in Ocean Park, where she became a huge part of the community’s music program and spent her teenage years working at the summer camps.

It is in Ocean Park where a then 7-year-old Nancy – who won a pigtail competition at The Brunswick, would meet a then 8-year-old J. Edward MacNider from Montreal with whom she would be married to for almost 50 years (Aug. 19 would have been their 50th Anniversary)!

A talented musician, Nancy was most famous for playing the trumpet. She was a founder of the Ocean Park Brass and participated in numerous bands. Bands include the Westin Silver Band in Toronto, Ontario – in which she was the first female member and the Alumni Band of Southern Maine of Biddeford and Saco. In addition, Nancy was the trumpeter at Glebe St. James in Ottawa, Ontario, and First Parish Congregational Church in Saco. She also enjoyed singing in church choirs and ringing in handbell choirs wherever she was.

Nancy earned a Bachelor of Arts from Eastern Baptist College and a Bachelor of Science from Columbia University in Nursing. Her career in public health began in Attleboro, Mass., before moving to Toronto, Ontario, and then on to Ottawa, Ontario. She then found her true calling as the executive director of St. Mary’s Home in Ottawa from 1986-2016.

As talented a musician as she was, her greatest strength was connecting with people! A true visionary, Nancy worked tirelessly to find new and better ways to provide young mothers and fathers with the support and education needed to be successful parents of healthy babies. Nancy was recognized with many awards for her service to the community, including the Make A Difference Award and Community Builder Award from the United Way of Ottawa and the Woman of Distinction Award (Community and Voluntary Service Contributions) from the Ottawa YM/YWCA.

One of Nancy’s great joys was spending time with her granddaughter, Maya; she even learned how to play Minecraft. Nancy also loved starting the day on the beach, enjoying the sunrise, and playing with her dogs. These include Saco, her Newfoundlander, and Woodie, her Golden Retriever grandpuppy. An avid tennis fan, she’d never miss a Roger Federer match. Nancy was also an annual pass holder to Walt Disney World, which she loved to visit with her daughter, Tracy.

Nancy was a member of the Ocean Park Association, The Temple Choir, Temple Brass, The Ocean Park Temple Bells, the Alumni Band of Southern Maine, First Parish Congregational Church UCC of Saco, and Glebe St. James of Ottawa.

Nancy is survived by her husband, J. Edward of Ocean Park; son, James MacNider of Ottawa, Ontario, daughter, Tracy MacNider of Ocean Park; brother, Bill Billingham of Laurel, Md., sister, Barbara Stalling of Montpelier, Vt.; and grandchild, Maya MacNider of Ottawa, Ontario.

A celebration of life is planned for Saturday, Sept. 10 at 1 p.m. at the First Parish Congregational Church located at 12 Beach St., Saco. Dennett, Craig & Pate Funeral Home, 365 Main St., Saco are entrusted with her services.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the

Ocean Park Association,

P.O. Box 7296,

Ocean Park, ME 04063-7296 or

St. Mary’s Home,

780 rue l’Eglise St.,

Ottawa, Ontario K1K 3K7