Nancy Palmer Anderson

Born in New Haven, Nancy was the daughter of the late Francis Leslie and Esther Lillian Palmer. She graduated from Wilbur Cross High School in 1959 and went on to become a longtime resident of the shoreline communities of Madison and East Haven before making her home in Killingworth.

Nancy had many talents, but her greatest passions were cooking and baking, skills she taught herself and shared generously with others. Her kitchen was the heart of every celebration and where family and friends gathered, with Thanksgiving being her favorite holiday. She worked as a pastry chef along the shoreline, most recently at Café Routier in Westbrook where she dedicated over twenty years crafting her famous desserts until her retirement in 2020. Nancy also lent her talents to Chocolate to the Rescue, an annual fundraiser for Columbus House supporting people experiencing homelessness.

Creative and endlessly resourceful, she was also a gifted seamstress, designing and sewing wedding gowns for her eldest daughter and daughter-in-law, and delighting her grandchildren year after year with handmade Halloween costumes.

A lifelong lover of all animals, especially dogs and cats, Nancy also enjoyed traveling whenever she had the opportunity. At the age of 19, she and a friend embarked on a summer trip to Europe, and she always enjoyed sharing stories from her travels abroad.

Nancy was the youngest of four children and was surrounded by a large extended family of aunts, uncles, and cousins, whose presence helped shape many cherished memories throughout her life. Her grandchildren were her pride and joy, and she was their biggest supporter, faithfully attending countless sporting events and cheering them on every step of the way.

Nancy is survived by her children, Eric (Ann) Anderson, Kirsten (Allan) Rappleyea, and Britt (David) Hansen; and her beloved grandchildren, Emily (Morgan) White, Kiley, Brinley, Molly, and Bryce Anderson, Allan, Grace, and Andrew Rappleyea, and Mikka Hansen. Nancy is also survived by several generations of nieces and nephews, including Leslie Peterson, Debbie Dillon, Missy Ronan and Jackie Santamauro, who all cherished their Aunt Nancy. She was predeceased by her former partner of 40 years, Walfred Eriksson, and her brothers, Francis and Edward Palmer, and her sister, Lillian Mae Dillon.

The family would like to thank the staff at Twin Maples Health Care for the care and compassion they showed Nancy in her final days. Special thanks are also extended to Debbie Napelitano, a devoted caregiver who faithfully visited Nancy each week.

A celebration of life will be held on Monday, July 6, 2026 from 4 pm to 8 pm at Friends & Company, 11 Boston Post Road in Madison. Interment will be private. In lieu of flowers, the family welcomes memorial donations in Nancy’s honor to the Branford Compassion Club, a shelter for cats that offers adoptions and adoption support programs. Contributions can be made online at Branford Compassion Club or mailed to P.O. Box 768, Branford, CT 06405.