Nancy Putnam Brayton

Nancy Putnam Brayton, 83, died on November 10, 2026, after her journey with lung cancer. She met the end of her life in deep acceptance, and she showed us what it looks like to live fully in the moment.

Nancy was born on December 28, 1942, in Lansing, Michigan, to Kenneth M. and Eleanor C. Putnam. The family settled in Coldwater, Michigan, where her parents bought a funeral home that became a longtime family business. She attended Coldwater Public Schools, then transferred to the Leelanau School in Glen Arbor, Michigan, graduating in 1962. She went on to Lawrence University in Appleton, Wisconsin, earning her Bachelor of Arts in 1965.

In 1966, Nancy married Michael Brayton, also of Coldwater, and the two drove cross-country to San Francisco to begin their life together. Between law school in New York and a clerkship in Washington, D.C., their two children, Aby and Sam, were born. In 1972, the family bought their first home in Denver, Colorado, on the same street as Nancy's college roommate, Susie, and the two families raised their children side by side.

In 1976, the family moved to San Jose, California, and put down roots in Willow Glen. Nancy joined the San Jose Swim & Racquet Club, where she found her love of tennis and friendships that lasted a lifetime. After her marriage ended, she balanced sobriety, single parenthood, and a career as a respected designer at Ingela's Interiors. Her sobriety was a quiet example to our whole family.

In 1994, Nancy returned to Coldwater, where she reconnected with family and her childhood best friends. She worked for Lowe's in Battle Creek until 2005, when she jumped at the chance to move with Lowe's to be close to her kids after the birth of her first grandchild. The joy of Nancy's life was complete again at the birth of her grandson in 2010. Her two grandchildren meant the world to her.

In retirement, Nancy gave generously to her community. She tutored at Sacred Heart Community Services and sewed felt hearts for the NICU at the children's hospital. In the later part of her life, she found her community again volunteering at The Thrift Box in San Jose, where she found her tribe: a devoted, enthusiastic, Bunco-playing group of volunteers. She took great pride in the Thrift Box and in the difference its work made for children and their families. For Nancy, volunteering was never just a commitment. It was community, purpose, and joy.

Nancy loved to be active, and her energy often put the rest of us to shame. When she wasn't at the gym, you could find her walking the streets of Willow Glen with her friends, taking notes on every new development along the way. She loved to travel with friends and family, to Egypt and Ireland, and on many trips to San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, to visit her brother and sister-in-law.

Nancy is survived by her daughter, Abigail “Aby” (Michael) Ryan of San Jose; her son, Samuel G. “Sam” Brayton of Sacramento; her granddaughter, Jordan Ryan of San Jose; and her grandson, Nicholas Brayton of Sacramento. She is also survived by her brothers, Mark (Adaire) Putnam of San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, and Charles (Casey) Putnam of Coldwater, Michigan; many beloved nieces and nephews; and her dear besties, who were with her through every season of life. She was preceded in death by Michael Brayton in 2015.

Our family is deeply grateful to Nancy's palliative and hospice care teams for their compassion and care, which allowed her to spend her final weeks at home, surrounded by love and light.

Nancy lived her final chapter the way she lived all the others, fully present, and her example is the gift she leaves us.

A celebration of Nancy's life will be held on Sunday, November 22, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. at Willow Glen Funeral Home, 1039 Lincoln Avenue, San Jose, California. Nancy's family will gather with friends and loved ones at 1:00 pm, before the celebration.

In keeping with Nancy's giving spirit, and in lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to The Thrift Box or a cause dear to your heart.