Nancy Bryant, formerly of West Tisbury, Mass., died at St. Luke’s Hospital in New Bedford on Oct. 10. She was 77. A funeral service was held for her in a private home run by the Seven Hills Foundation at 3 Sarah Beth Lane in Wareham on Friday, Oct. 25 with the Rev. Dr. Rosemary MacKay, chaplain of Cranberry Hospice, officiating. This was where Nancy spent the last years of her life.

Born in Oak Bluffs on July 13, 1937, Nancy was the second daughter of Nelson Bryant Sr. and Olga Griffin Bryant of West Tisbury. Their first daughter, Justine, had drowned in Tisbury Great Pond three years before.

Nancy became a ward of the state (Department of Mental Retardation, now known as the Department of Developmental Services) in the early 1940s and remained so for the rest of her life.

She is survived by her older brother Nelson Bryant Jr. of West Tisbury. Her other brother, Daniel, of Chilmark died in 2011.

Commentary by Nelson Bryant.