Eldine J. Equi

May 5, 1932 – March 17, 2026

Eldine (Nylander) Equi of Brewster passed away peacefully at Cape Cod Hospital on March 17, 2026. She was the daughter of Verner Nylander and Juna Chase Nylander, both deceased. Deanie was born, raised and educated in Athol, MA. She graduated from Athol High School in 1950. After studying at Framingham State College for two years, she transferred to UMass Amherst where she received her B.S. degree in Natural Sciences. She was a member of Kappa Kappa Gamma. Throughout her life, she had the friendship of many Kappa sisters. She also earned her master’s degree in education from Antioch.

After graduation from UMass, she worked in the Worcester County Extension Service for two years and then joined her husband, Robert Equi (deceased in 1993), in Philadelphia while he was serving in the Army at Frankford Arsenal. They moved to North Reading, MA while he was stationed at the Watertown Arsenal.

Deanie spent 26 years teaching in the North Reading School System, primarily early childhood education at the Hood School. She has stayed in touch with many of her colleagues and friends over the years. She retired to Brewster on Cape Cod in 1995 where she was active in the alumni associations of Kappa Kappa Gamma and UMass as well as with the Friends of Nickerson State Park.

For the past three and a half years, Deanie enjoyed living at Thirwood Place in South Yarmouth. She embraced the lifestyle of assisted living, made friends easily, and started new interests in chair yoga and painting. She was known for her resilience, humor, and optimism.

Deanie is survived by her son Bud Equi and his wife Lisa of Savannah, GA, her son Ted Equi and his wife Karen Scibinico of Eastham, MA, and her son Michael of North Andover, MA. She has been blessed with six grandchildren: Ashley, Kyler, Alexandra (Ali), Katherine (Katie), Elizabeth (Lizzy) and William (Will). She has five great grandchildren: Maxwell, Madison, Margot, Blakely and Georgia.

In a journal she wrote that her “highest hopes for my grandchildren are that they will work hard to achieve what is important to them”. She spent her life, in her own words, “grateful for my family, my friends, my health and my home on Cape Cod”. One of the final entries was “Remember me for loving you each day of your life and being a part of your life”.

Deanie believed that “The only legacy one should leave their children is roots and wings”. She did both. For that all who knew her will be grateful. She will be missed.

A celebration of her life will be held in May. Burial is private. Details will be available on the Nickerson Funeral Home, Orleans, MA website at dignitymemorial.com.