Nesta Allene Marsh d’Addario, a Rye resident for nearly 50 years, passed away on April 17, 2020. Born in Pencoed, Wales, on August 9, 1935, she was the daughter of Hilda and Harold Marsh.
After graduating from Bridgend County Grammar School for Girls, she attended the University of Wales and graduated from the College of Swansea for Teacher Training in 1955. She was passionate about the profession and working with children and she taught in several schools around London and received a foreign posting in Venezuela.
In 1965, while living in London, she married Franco d’Addario. Before settling in Rye, they lived in Canada and New Jersey.
After raising her family, she returned to primary education and worked at Osborn Elementary School for over 30 years. She had a penchant for remembering her students and their families and was delighted when she ran into former students and heard about their high school or college experience, first jobs, or the families they’d started.
Nesta d’Addario was a gracious woman who will long be remembered for her kindness, optimism, wit, sense of adventure, and willingness to give her time to help others. She enjoyed traveling, reading, music, playing bridge, and a good cup of tea with Welsh cakes. Firm in her faith, she was an active parishioner at the Rye Presbyterian Church where she was part of the Stephen Ministry as well as a Deacon.
While she had many deep friendships that she treasured, her greatest love was her family. She was a devoted wife and sister and proud mother and grandmother who instilled a strong work ethic and a sense of charity in her daughters and grandchildren. Her family is comforted by the fact so many people in this community have expressed their admiration for this wonderful woman.
Mrs. d’Addario is survived by her daughters, Katherine d’Addario and Caroline Logan (Doug); her grandchildren, Isabelle, Nicholas, and William; and her sisters, Pamela Vaughan (Rheinallt) and Janet Dixon (Chris). She was predeceased by her husband Franco and sister Rosemary (Frank) Lawrence.
The family wishes to thank The Osborn for their wonderful care. Donations in Nesta d’Addario’s memory may be sent to benefit the Stephen Ministry at Rye Presbyterian Church.