Nancy Elizabeth Kent Westberry, 87, died Monday, December 24, 2012, with family and friends by her side.

Nancy was born June 25, 1925, the daughter of Rodolphus and Marion Kent. She grew up in Presque Isle, Maine, and Brooklyn, New York. She spent summers at her parent’s camp on Shin Pond, Maine.

Nancy was educated at Beaver College for Women in Philadelphia and received her undergraduate degree as well as graduate studies at the University of Maine. She taught college in Maine as a young woman, enjoyed ice skating and skiing with her beloved father. She also taught at the Bonner School in Los Angeles, California, eventually returning to Maine.

In 1953 Nancy met Billy Murray Westberry, an Air Force Judge Advocate General (JAG) officer who was stationed at the Loring Air Force Base in Caribou, Maine. They both shared a love of the outdoors and were soon married at the St. John’s Episcopal Church in Presque Isle, Maine. Nancy and Bill then moved to Marion, Kentucky, after his honorable discharge from the Air Force where Bill practiced law and Nancy taught History and English to generations of students. Nancy and Bill spent many summers on their boats on Kentucky and Barkley lakes sharing cherished times with family and lifelong friends. Eventually they moved to Paducah where they were not only closer to the lake, but to their friends and family.

Nancy was a member of Grace Episcopal Church, a former member the Kentucky Educational Television (KET) Board, the Country Club of Paducah, the Marion Methodist Church and numerous book clubs where she continued to share her lifelong love of literature.

She is survived by her sons, William Bishop Westberry of Houston, Texas, and R. Kent Westberry (Leslie) of Louisville, Ky.; grandchildren, Andrew Kent Westberry and Katherine Elizabeth Westberry. Among the greatest joys of her life was the time she and Bill spent with their two grandchildren, Andrew and Katie.

She was preceded in her death by her husband of nearly 50 years, Bill Westberry, and her parents, Rodolphus and Marion Kent.

Nancy was known as a kind and loving person always willing to share her gifts with others.

The family is especially grateful for the care and support provided by Bill Westberry’s surviving sisters, Doris Daigle of St. Michaels, Maryland, Patty Callender of Painesville, Ohio, and Vickie (Bookie) McGee of Paducah.

Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, December 29, 2012, at the Grace Episcopal Church in Paducah with the Rev. Meghan Holland officiating. Burial will follow in the Smithland Cemetery in Smithland, Ky. Visitation will begin at noon on Saturday at the church. Milner & Orr Funeral Home of Paducah is in charge of the arrangements.

The family asks that expressions of sympathy be made to the Fohs Hall Community Arts Foundation in Marion, Kentucky, P.O. Box 55, Marion, KY 42064; Kentucky Educational Television (KET), 600 Cooper Drive, Lexington, KY 40502; or to the charity of your choice.

You may leave a message of sympathy or light a candle at www.milnerandorr.com.