Nancy Baybutt, age 94, passed away at home in Mattapoisett in the early morning hours of November 27th, 2024. A vibrant, happy woman, part of the greatest generation, there were many chapters in her long adventurous life. Born at home in Newton, MA on Valentine's Day in 1930, she was the third of four children born to Eva (Bea) Dailey and Dr. Hugh Dailey. A veterinarian serving in the cavalry during World War I, he came home and became the first Chief of Staff at the newly built Angell Memorial Animal Hospital in Boston. Nancy grew up amidst all kinds of pets- dogs, cats, birds, guinea pigs, ponies, goats, rhesus monkeys, reptiles, ocelots, and a pet fox. The children were raised on goat's milk from their father's herd. all kept in Newton near what is now Coolidge Corner. Her father died young, in 1937, and she was raised by her widowed, working mother. Although she wanted to go to college, there was only enough money to send her older brother to Vet School. Nancy attended Katie Gibbs after high school and worked as a secretary at Boston Children's Hospital. There she met Richard Baybutt, an engineer also from Newton. They started their family in the Boston area and then moved to Keene, NH where Dick started Baybutt Construction Company and Nancy served as secretary and bookkeeper while raising four children.

Nancy loved people, pets, and politics. At one point she was leading three Cub Scouts dens, one for each of her three sons, and taught Sunday school at St. James Episcopal Church. Her community involvement also included terms as President of the PTA and the League of Women Voters as well as being a member of the Keene City Council. She moved from local to state politics, becoming a state representative for Keene and Assistant Majority Leader in the NH House. She worked closely with Governor John Sununu as Head of NH Health and Welfare and campaigned with many Presidential candidates when they came through Concord for the first national Primary.

Nancy started raising Golden Retrievers after meeting one on her honeymoon on Martha's Vineyard in 1952. There was always a June litter that her children and grandchildren played with and "puppy piled" before they moved on to a new home. She showed Goldens for many years and in 1989, "Ducky" was the top Golden in the US and was twice Best of Breed at Westminster. Later, she trained two other hunting breeds, German Shorthaired Pointers and Vizslas before downsizing to Affenpinchers in the 90s. She bred many Affenpincher champions and traveled to dog shows all over the US and Canada as well as England and Costa Rica. She was instrumental in promoting and protecting the breed in the US.

She is survived by her daughter, Susan Spirito (and her husband, Tony) as well as sons John and Timothy (and their wives, Dawn and Kathy) and wife (Mary Lou) of her predeceased son, Frederick. Her grandchildren have great memories of Christmas ski trips to Stowe, Vermont with Nana and spending part of every summer with her at Holly Woods Beach in Mattapoisett including Emilia (Brooklyn) and the late Evan Spirito, as well as Andy and his wife, Liz (Vail, CO), Tom and his fiancé, Erica (Fitzwilliam, NH), Will and his wife, Heather (Manchester, NH), Bradley, Celia, and Britta (Keene, NH) Baybutt. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews as well as great granddaughter, Charlotte Baybutt, and her last Affenpincher, Jasper.

Nancy left her family a myriad of great memories, life experiences, and life skills. A Remembrance is planned for next summer in Mattapoisett.

Arrangements are with the Saunders-Dwyer Mattapoisett Home for Funerals, 50 County Rd. (Rt. 6), Mattapoisett. For online guestbook, visit www.saundersdwyer.com.