Obituary of Nancy Sutton Chatelain

NANCY SUTTON CHATELAIN Needleworker Nancy Sutton Chatelain, at the age of 67, passed away May 23, 2012 at Damarin, her home in Wiscasset, Maine. She had valiantly battled ovarian cancer for the past 4 years. She was born September 16, 1944 in Indianapolis, Indiana to John and Jane Sutton. She was the oldest of seven children and grew up in St. Louis, Missouri. She graduated from Brentwood High School in 1963. Nancy moved to Lincoln, Virginia in the early 1970’s and co-owned the Woolgathers Shop in Leesburg, Virginia until the early 1980’s. She owned The Designing Cat in Great Falls, Virginia during the 1980’s. Both stores became social hubs in the community with knitters and needleworkers sitting around a country table by the fireplace each day. Nancy was highly skilled in rug braiding, needlepoint, knitting, counted cross stitch, and especially quilting. She taught many women and men throughout the years. She married Leon Chatelain III in 1979. They lived in Great Falls, Virginia until 2000 when they purchased the historic Damarin in Wiscasset, Maine which they lovingly restored and expanded. They also had an apartment in Bethesda, Maryland. Nancy was feisty, strong-willed, and always had an opinion to share. She deeply loved her family, friends, and all children. Her beautiful home was filled with antiques, artwork, and her incredible collection of needlework and quilts, many by her own hand. Her perennial gardens were full of color and joy. An inveterate cook, she always prepared sumptuous meals for family and friends as well as her famous chocolate chip cookies. She most of all enjoyed sitting on her terrace overlooking the Sheepscot River in late afternoons with a glass of wine and her golden retriever always at her feet. Nancy is survived by her husband; her two daughters, Margaret Bryson Schneider (Joseph) of Chicago and Emilie Noel Chatelain of Austin, and a granddaughter, Riley Kissain Sutton Schneider of Chicago. A celebration party for Nancy will be held at Sorriso Restaurant in Cleveland Park on June 28 at 6:00pm and at Damarin In Wiscasset on July 1 at 5:00pm. Donations can be made to the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund (www.ocrf.org) or Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens (www.mainegardens.org).