Nancy E. Ketchen, 78, died Sunday evening at her home, surrounded by her loving family. The daughter of Frederick and Uella (Elaine) Buckler Smith, Nancy was born in Natick, MA on April 22, 1934. She attended Natick Schools and graduated from Wayland High School in 1952. On January 16, 1954, she married Bertram Ketchen Sr. Nancy and Bert, along with her father, owned and operated Circle Gulf in Natick for 27 years. She was also employed at Natick High School as a cafeteria worker and later at Coan Brothers as a bookkeeper. In 1984, the family relocated to Tyringham and began Ketchen Excavating. Nancy's biggest pleasures were spending time with her children and grandchildren and walking her beloved dog, Sam. She also enjoyed cooking, crossword puzzles, bowling, and, most of all, listening to, and attending concerts of, her favorite country singer, Alan Jackson. She is survived by her husband and children: Bertram Jr., Bill and his wife, Heather, and Linda Jannotta and her husband, Frank; grandsons: William Ketchen, Dakota Ketchen, and Anthony Jannotta; and siblings: Frederick Smith Jr., David Smith, Barbara Aldrich, and Pamelia Yost. A celebration of Nancy's life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her memory to Hospice Services of Western, MA in C/O the Kelly Funeral Home, 3 Main Street, Lee, MA 01238.

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