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Nancy Maher Cairns

On Aug. 5, 2023, Nancy Maher Cairns, a longtime resident of Guilford and, more recently, of Madison, peacefully left us to join her family and friends in Heaven. Nancy was born on March 8, 1930, in Newton, Massachusetts. As she was quick to tell you, she was a multi-sport athlete and cheerleader at Newton High School before attending and graduating from Boston University’s Sargeant College with a physical therapy degree in 1951. That began a long and successful career as a physical therapist in various facilities before she joined the Guilford Visiting Nurses Association as a home physical therapist. She was a very active member of Christ Episcopal Church in Guilford. On any given day, you would find Nancy ensconced on her couch, clicker in hand, watching her beloved Red Sox, Golf, Football, Tennis, Curling, and Law & Order, often simultaneously.

Nancy married Robert A. Cairns on July 17, 1959, and built a home and family together in Guilford for 60 years before they moved to the Hearth at Tuxis Pond in Madison, where Bob still lives. She was a loving mother to Matthew (Tracey) of Warwick, Rhode Island, and Andrew (Carol O’Driscoll) of Manhattan. Her granddaughters, Elisabeth Cairns (Mike) of Manchester, New Hampshire, and Madison Cairns Maggio (Nick) of Salem, Massachusetts, already miss their beloved “Granite.” She also leaves behind her sister-in-law Pauline Murphy of Madison; her nieces, Elizabeth Brown and Tess Morrison; and nephews, Sandy Murphy, Tom Murphy, and Tyler Morrison. Nancy was predeceased by her parents, Martin Maher, Elisabeth Glenn, and Robert Glenn; as well as her sister-in-law and brothers-in-law, Fran and Corky Morrison and Fred Murphy.

There will be a family graveside service arranged by the Guilford Funeral Home. Those wishing to remember Nancy can mix up a gin martini with crushed ice and a twist of lemon and toast her memory. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Christ Episcopal Church, 11 Park St., Guilford, CT 06437; or a charity of one’s choice. Arrangements in care of the Guilford Funeral Home, 115 Church St, Guilford. To share a memory or leave condolences, visit www.guilfordfuneralhome.com