Nancy R. Reuter, 93

Nancy R. Reuter, 93

LACONIA — Nancy Rogerson Brown Reuter, 1923-2016, daughter of John F. Brown Jr. and Gladys P. Brown of Lakeport, died Nov. 23, 2016, at her Virginia farm (Glenstone), surrounded by her family. She was 93.

Born Aug. 1, 1923, she spent her first 12 years living in her grandparents' (Judge John F. Brown and Alice T. Brown) home in the historic Crehore House in Milton, Massachusetts, with summers spent on Ossipee Lake. In 1935, her parents, along with Nancy and brothers John and Tom, moved to New Hampshire, purchasing the historic John S. Crane House, in Lakeport.

Nancy began her long business career in her teens assisting her mother, Mrs. John F. Brown (Gladys), in the development, promotion and management of antiques expositions. This was a new concept with the implementation of the first such show of its kind in America held in Boston in 1931. Throughout the 1940s, mother and daughter team continued to promote the shows in settings like the Copley Plaza in Boston, the Bellevue Stratford in Philadelphia, the Waldorf Astoria in New York City, the Hotel Statler in Washington, D.C., and several other locations.

In 1941, she graduated from Laconia High School and went on to study at Skidmore College. During the early years of World War II, Nancy served with a rank of sergeant in the Civil Air Patrol in Laconia where her father was Wing Commander for the state of New Hampshire. In 1944, she enlisted in the Marine Corps at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, where she was assigned to the Division of Motor Transport.

In 1947, she met her future husband, Dr. Frederick Turner Reuter, at the Washington Statler Antiques Show, and they were married a year later on Valentine's Day. They had three children and lived in the Virginia and Washington, D.C., area.

In 1961, Nancy established Reuters Inc., a real estate firm in Washington, D.C., and later in Middleburg, Virginia. She felt her most meaningful and interesting project was the 1976 restoration of the 1728 Red Fox Tavern in Middleburg, Virginia, which is still family owned today.

Nancy was a proud member of the Emmanuel Church in Middleburg, Virginia, the Society of Women Geographers, the Colonial Dames, Chapter 23, the Evergreen Garden Club, the Cosmos Club, the Fauquier Loudoun Garden Club, served on the Board of Directors of Leesburg Today and Oatlands, a National Trust Property, where she was able to inaugurate the first Oatland's Antique Show and Fair. She was also district commissioner of the Loudoun Hunt Pony Club.

Nancy wrote and published five books on her family history. A sixth book, co-authored by Louise Piazza, titled "Well Turned Out," a memoir that centers on Nancy's fascinating life as it parallels the 20th century, is due to be published in 2017.

On her last visit to New Hampshire in 2015, she enjoyed seeing friends and family. She had the chance to return to Tamworth to see a show at the Barnstormers Playhouse in its 85th season and was recognized that evening at the show, as a past performer in "Skylark," from 1941. Also, while in New Hampshire, she paid a visit to what she called "her mountain," Mount Chocorua, where she had many fond memories.

Nancy was an exceptional wife, mother, sister, grandmother, aunt, businesswoman, artist, gardener, author and a friend to many, loved by all.

She leaves behind her three children, F. Turner Reuter and his wife, Dana, John "Jock" A. Reuter, Diana Reuter-Twining and her husband, Ned; three grandchildren, Matilda and her husband, Johnathan Engle, Hannah and her husband, Dyer Rothrock and F.T. "Fritz" Reuter III; one great-grandchild, Elouise Engle; and longtime assistant and friend, Rosa, all of Virginia; a brother, Thomas L. Brown and his wife, Liberty, of Lakeport, along with many nieces and nephews.

Nancy was predeceased by her loving husband of 67 years, Dr. F. Turner Reuter in 2015, Virginia; and brother, John F. Brown and his wife Priscilla, of Washington state.

Nancy's love of country, love of family and love of life, is still an inspiration to us all.