Obituary of Nan D. Mulford

AIKEN, SC - Nan Dow Mulford, died Monday, July 16, 2018 at her residence, surrounded by her family, her cat on her bed, and Travis Terry music playing. She was 83.

Nan was born in Augusta, ME October 1, 1934, the daughter of the late Grace Butterfield Dow and the late Frances Parker Dow. She grew up in Rockport, ME and Kennebunk, ME, where she graduated from Kennebunk High School in 1952.  She attended Boston University where she earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in 1956.  In 1990 she received a Master of Arts degree from Villanova University.

Nan moved to New York City in 1956 where she worked in advertising and public relations.

In 1958, Nan married William Rising Mulford of Little Falls, NY. They lived on Long Island in NY, where their two children, Grace and Peter, were born. Subsequently they moved to suburban Philadelphia, where they lived for twenty-five years, and then to Norton, MA. Nan moved to Aiken, SC in 2014.

In the 70’s, Nan was active in local politics and, was a member of the League of Women Voters of Chester County, Pennsylvania, ultimately serving as President; as well as several other non-profit organizations, such as the Green Valley Association.

During that time, she also began a second career in development in higher education.  During that career, she served as Director of Development for the Hilltop School in Rosemont, PA, the Director of Development and Assistant Executive Director for the Girl Scouts of Greater Philadelphia, the Director of Development for Rosemont College, Major Gifts Officer for Boston College, and Director of Academic Development Stonehill College in North Easton, MA.

Nan’s true passion was art, and she was a lifelong watercolor painter. She owned and operated the Nan Mulford Gallery in Rockport, ME, with her collaborative partner, Bill Mulford, and then in Rockland, ME from 1997 to 2006.   She showed and sold fine art from artists working in all kinds of mediums. She also directed the gallery at the Jonathan Frost Gallery in Rockland, ME from 2011 to 2013.

Nan’s other passion was travelling, especially France and the American South West. Her love of the South West came about when she served as a VISTA (Volunteers in Service to America) for the Southern Ute American Indian Tribe in Ignacio, CO from 2007 to 2008, applying her  grant writing skills.  She made many friends in that community, and absorbed the lore and history of the area, which she loved sharing with her family and friends.

Nan was known by her family, friends, and people she worked with as a woman with an indomitable spirit and a zest for life. She was brimming with talent and creativity, and was equally at home canoeing the Allagash River or boating down the Seine in Paris.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her beloved husband, William Rising Mulford.  Survivors include her two children, Grace Mulford Krecker of Aiken, SC, and Pete Mulford of Boston, MA, her daughter-in-law Michelle Mulford; and three grandchildren, Claire Olivia Tardie, Zoe Mulford, and Benjamin Mulford.

There will be a small gathering for friends and family who are from Aiken, Saturday July 21 from 3:00-5:00 p.m. at the Willcox Hotel.  A memorial service will be held later this summer in Maine

Memorial contributions may be directed to the Bill Mulford Fund for Independent Students, at Office of Development, Stonehill College, 320 Washington St., Easton, MA 02357.