ANN HEMINGWAY WATSON SYMINGTON

CAMDEN, MAINE……………….Ann Hemingway Watson Symington, widow of the late Arthur K. Watson and the late Senator Stuart Symington, died February 13, 2012, at her home in Camden, Maine, surrounded by her six children. She was 93. Nancy, as she was known, was born in Kew Gardens, New York on July 17, 1918, the third child of Madeleine Cooney and Stuart Clayton Hemingway of Syracuse, New York. Nancy attended the Goodyear Burlingame School in Syracuse and graduated from the Ethel Walker School in Simsbury, Connecticut in 1936. She then attended and graduated from Bradford Junior College in 1938. During World War II, Nancy spent two years working for the American Red Cross as a staff assistant in India and Burma .
After Nancy’s marriage to Arthur K. “Dick” Watson in 1948, she moved to New Canaan, Ct. where she resided for the next 50 years raising her six children. In 1970, she joined her husband in Paris, France, where he served as United States Ambassador to France. In 1973, she was awarded the French “Legion
d’Honneur” for her restoration of the Embassy residence to its former elegance, and, for her extraordinary service. Upon her return to the United States, Nancy continued her volunteer work, serving on multiple boards including The Hotchkiss School as Trustee Emerita. She generously supported many charitable organizations as well. After the untimely death of her first husband, Dick, in 1974 Nancy met Senator Stuart Symington and, in 1978, she and Stuart were married and spent ten wonderful years together in New Canaan, Connecticut.
In the late 1990’s, Nancy moved to her summer home in Camden, Maine, where two of her daughters reside. Her later years were filled with love and much happiness as her children and 20 grandchildren visited often. Nancy adored sailing on her beloved “ANJACAA” and was frequently seen at the helm, long after other boats had been hauled in the fall.
Nancy is survived by her six children; Ann Bresnahan, Jane Watson, Caroline Morong, Kitt Watson, Stuart Watson and David Watson and their spouses, Rick Bresnahan, Bill Stetson, Wayne Morong, Diane Watson, Karen Watson and Christine Watson. She leaves her beloved grandchildren, Rick, Elizabeth and David Bresnahan; Nancy and Katharine Heyl, Grace Stetson; Luke, Laura and Liza, Zachary Morong; Kittredge, Alexander and Claire Watson; Stuart, Annie, Bennet, Oliver and Helen Watson; and Sarah, Emily and John Watson. She is also survived by her brother, Richard Hemingway of Houston, Texas and her sister, Jean Hemingway of Rumford, Rhode Island, many nieces, nephews, cousins and her two stepsons, Stuart Symington, Jr. and James W. Symington. Nancy was predeceased by Dick Watson and Stuart Symington, her beloved parents, Stuart and Madeleine Hemingway, her brothers, Jack, Stuart and Bradley Hemingway and her sisters, Caroline Norton and Patsy Ryan.
Nancy touched many of us during her extraordinary lifetime. She will always be remembered by her frank wit, her compassion, her determination, her sheer joy of life, her love of family and the many dear friends, whom she enchanted with her sparkling blue eyes.
A memorial service will be held in celebration of her life at 2PM, Saturday, March 3, 2012 at the First Congregational Church, 55 Elm St., Camden, Maine. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Hospice House, Pen Bay Healthcare Foundation, 22 White Street, Rockland, Maine 04841, in Nancy’s memory. Condolences and memories may be shared with the Symington family by visiting their book of memories at www.longfuneralhomecamden.com. Arrangements are with the Long Funeral Home, 9 Mountain Street, Camden.

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