Nancy Lob
Fernan (“Nancy”) Bitterberg Lob, a longtime former resident of Rye, N.Y. and Moultonborough, N.H., died peacefully at her home surrounded by her family on February 10, 2019. She was 98.
Born on December 29, 1920, in Soekaboemie, Java, part of the former Dutch East Indies, she was the daughter of Ferdinand and Julie Jeanne (de Vos) Bitterberg. Nancy, as she was commonly called, went to school in Perth, Australia, and then Switzerland, but had to postpone her education at the start of World War II.
She met her future husband, George, on a blind date on New Year’s Eve. They were married on March 18, 1941, and celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in 1991, the year before his death. Mrs. Lob was a devoted and loving wife, who supported her husband’s career as a corporate executive, and mother. She was known for her wonderful sense of humor, deep affinity for nature and animals, and sharp mind, which could reconfigure architectural plans or set up the logistics for an event.
During her years in Rye, she was a member of The Twig Organization of United Hospital, past president of the Christ’s Church Altar Guild, and an active volunteer with many of the organizations in which her three daughters participated.
She was an excellent tennis player with a mean serve and hosted many a bridge game with an active group of Rye friends. She counted crewel embroidery, knitting, and sewing among her artistic hobbies. She never went far without a poodle under her arm.
Nancy was her happiest in the Lakes Region of New Hampshire, where she spent almost every summer since 1954. There, she was surrounded by a boisterous family and many friends. She was an integral part of holidays, adventures, and family reunions.
Nancy Lob leaves three children: Joyce Smith of The Villages, Fla., Thera (and Chris) Robbins of Southborough, Mass., and Wendy L. Booker of San Francisco, Calif. and Moultonborough, N.H.; seven grandchildren: Sarah Mars, Michael Smith, Renee Smith, Michael (and Jennifer) Robbins, Christopher (and Eileen) Booker, Jeffrey (and Meaghan) Booker, and Alexander Booker; and eight great-grandchildren: Sophie and Henry Mars, Alexander, Kate, and Victoria Smith, Benjamin Robbins, and Lucia and Harrison Booker. She was predeceased by her sister, Julie Jeanne Mohl.
A funeral service will be held Saturday, February 16 at 11 a.m. at Christ’s Church in Rye, with a reception to follow in the parish hall.