Annette (Nan) Carter died on July 25, surrounded by loved ones. She was 94.

Nan was born March 11, 1925 in Oxford, England, to Rachel and Herbert Carter. The oldest of four daughters, she spent much of her childhood in Hawthorne, N.Y., where her father was headmaster of The Harvey School. She was a graduate of Milton Academy and attended Connecticut College. In her first year of college she met Frank B. Carter, who attended the Coast Guard Academy across the street. They married on Sept. 19, 1943, and were together for 61 years until his death in 2005.

During the years Frank was an active officer in the Coast Guard, he and Nan lived all over the United States, ending up in Westfield, N.J., where they remained after his retirement from service. There he embarked on a second career as a math teacher at The Pingry School, and Nan devoted herself more to her work as a fiber artist.

While she learned to knit as a child, in Westfield she began working in embroidery, crewel and needlepoint. Her curiosity led her to hand rug making and weaving, and eventually to quilting, where she was able to design and work on a bigger scale. Working with colors, fabrics and prints fascinated her. She loved to play and blend to fool the eye and create new designs. She valued learning about color theory and design, acknowledging that she had to know the rules before she could break them successfully enough to do her own thing. She taught quilting for the Embroiderer’s Guild in New Jersey, for the Adult Education of Westfield, N.J. and at the Newark Museum Arts Workshop.

Frank and Nan moved to Martha’s Vineyard when he retired from teaching. She became an active volunteer and member of the board at the Vinyard Haven Public Library and started a Thursday evening class, sponsored by a local quilt shop, that continues to meet 30 years later.

In 2008, Nan moved from the Vineyard to Fox Hill in Westwood, where she came to know and love many friends.

She was an energetic and artistic person who cared deeply about family and friends. She was passionate about her art and shared her talents generously.

In addition to her husband, she was predeceased by her sister Joy of New Canaan, Conn., and a daughter, Gail.

She is survived by sisters, Susan Harris of Westwood, and Hope Sperry of North Bradford, Conn.; sons Frank Jr. and Stephen; seven grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

A graveside service for family will be held at 11 a.m. on August 16 at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church in Newton Lower Falls, with a reception to follow at Fox Hill Village in Westwood.

Donations can be made to the Vineyard Haven Public Library, 200 Main Street, Vineyard Haven, MA, 02568.