Ann Hemingway Watson Symington, 93, widow of the late Arthur K. Watson and the late Senator Stuart Symington, died Feb. 13 at her home in Camden, surrounded by her six children.
Nancy, as she was known, was born in Kew Gardens, N.Y. on July 17, 1918, the third child of Madeleine Cooney and Stuart Clayton Hemingway of Syracuse, N.Y. and Waldoboro. Nancy attended the Goodyear Burlingame School in Syracuse and graduated from the Ethel Walker School in Simsbury, Conn. in 1936. She then attended and graduated from Bradford Junior College in 1938. During WWII, 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, Conn., 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 10 wonderful years together in New Canaan, Conn.
In the late 1990s, Nancy moved to her summer home in Camden 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 was predeceased by Dick Watson and Stuart Symington; beloved parents, Stuart and Madeleine Hemingway; brothers, Jack, Stuart, and Bradley Hemingway; and sisters, Caroline Norton and Patsy Ryan.
Nancy is survived by her 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; beloved grandchildren, Rick, Elizabeth and David Bresnahan, Nancy and Katharine Heyl, Grace Stetson, Luke, Laura, Liza and Zachary Morong, Kittredge, Alexander and Claire Watson, Stuart, Annie, Bennet, Oliver and Helen Watson, and Sarah, Emily and John Watson; brother, Richard Hemingway of Houston, Tex.; sister, Jean Hemingway of Rumford, R.I.; many nieces, nephews, cousins; and stepsons, Stuart Symington Jr. and James W. Symington.
Memorial service in celebration of her life, 2 p.m., Sat., March 3 at the First Congregational Church, 55 Elm St., Camden.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Nancy’s memory may be made to Hospice House, Pen Bay Healthcare Foundation, 22 White St., Rockland, ME 04841.
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 St., Camden.
