Obituary of Nina L. Lindley

AUBURN - Nina Thompson Lindley, 63, was born on Aug. 27, 1952, in Point Pleasant, N.J., the middle child of Charles and Ruth Thompson. Nina was greatly loved by her five siblings. Nina spent her early years climbing trees in New Egypt, N.J. When she was young her family moved to Levittown, Pa., where, much to Nina's chagrin, there were no trees to climb. In her early years, Nina produced plays that were the talk of Deep Dale West. Nina's love of theater continued into high school when she performed with Langhorne Players. In her adult years she was also active with Community Little Theater in Auburn. Nina was also a competitive swimmer from a young age until junior high. Her love of the water continued through her whole life. Nina attended Neshaminy High School in Langhorne, Pa., class of 1970. In high school she was color guard and a member of the concert choir. It was on the train ride home from a concert choir concert that she met her future husband, Colin David Lindley, that typical limey from down the street with the short pants. Nina continued her studies at Bucks County Community College. She had to leave her studies when she developed mono. In June of 1973, she married the love of her life, David, in what was supposed to be an outdoor ceremony that was moved on account of rain. Rain continued to plague future Lindley weddings. The newlyweds lived in Yardley, Pa., where they had two children, Bronwyn and Ian. In the late '70s, they packed up the family during a snowstorm and moved to Maine. Their Pennsylvania neighbors were convinced they would not have indoor plumbing in Maine. They soon found out that there was indoor plumbing and they would bring groceries to your car as well. Once settled in Maine, Nina and David had two more children, Max and Colin. With four young children, Nina went back to school at University of Southern Maine, where she earned her Bachelor of Arts in social work. Nina worked as a social worker, assisting families and children at YWCA, SMART, Androscoggin Head Start, Healthy Families, and the State of Maine. Nina was also an active volunteer with League of Women's Voters, La Leche League, and the Sexual Assault Crisis Center. Nina was always concerned about others' well-being and safety. Known for her incredibly lovely voice, Nina grew up singing Tin Pan Alley and Broadway tunes in the car with her family. This continued with her own family in her adult life. There was always music in the house. Along with the songs of her youth, her all-time favorite artist was John Denver. As a result her children can sing almost any John Denver song from memory. Nina was a longtime member of the choir at First Universalist Church of Auburn, Unitarian Universalist. Nina also performed with her favorite piano player/organist, Phil House, who was a whiz at adjusting songs to her preferred key. Nina is greatly loved and will be greatly missed by all who knew her. She is survived by her husband, David; her children Bronwyn Lindley Dougherty, Ian Lindley, Max Lindley, and Colin Lindley; her mother, Ruth Thompson; and her siblings, Chuck Thompson, Diane Thompson Doyer, Pamela Thompson, Scott Thompson, and Jodi Thompson. Nina is also survived by her son- and daughters-in-law Sean Dougherty, Meredith Holmes, Melissa Lindley, and Heather Jackson; her grandchildren (whom she adored) Ella Lindley, Adaline Lindley, Finnegan Lindley, Maeve Lindley, and Thatcher Lindley; and her sisters- and brothers-in-law, Chris Thompson, Lee Doyer, Karen Thompson, Bill Thompson, Gillian Lindley Curtis, John Lindley, Martyn Lindley, and Carole Pollack. She is also survived by many loved and adored nieces and nephews; and great-nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her father, Charles. The Lindley family would like to thank all of the staff at Mount Saint Joseph Nursing Home and Glenridge for making Nina's last two and a half years, dealing with Alzheimer's, so comfortable. She died on Oct. 1, 2015, in fall, her favorite season, surrounded by loved ones. A celebration of her life will be held at the First Universalist Church, Unitarian Universalist, in Auburn, on Oct. 17, 2015, at 11 a.m. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in her memory to the Music Fund First Universalist Church Unitarian Universalist 159 Pleasant St. Auburn, Maine 04220