Nancy Waddell

Nancy (Zipp) Waddell, 69, of Portsmouth, Rhode Island, passed away on October 10, 2018 at Newport Hospital after a long courageous battle with illness.

Nancy was born in Hartford, CT to Elmer and Claire Zipp. She grew up in Bristol, Ct and came to Newport to attend Salve Regina College. She graduated in 1971 with a Bachelors of Arts degree, cum laude. During this time she met Jeffrey Waddell who was stationed in Newport as a young officer with the U.S. Navy. They married in 1971 at the Salve Regina Chapel and eventually settled in Portsmouth. Nancy soon began a career in real estate development with the organization now known as American Capital of which she later became president. Throughout her career, her organization developed, among many other entities, the Grand Islander Health Care Center in Middletown.

Nancy was a dedicated and loving mother, wife and supportive friend to many. She had a keen mind and intellect, and was always thought of among her friends and family as the problem solver. She had several creative interests that included painting, drawing, interior design, and in her earlier years, piano. Nancy was also a longtime member of St. Marys Catholic Church, serving for many years on the finance committee.

Nancy is survived by her husband of 47 years, Jeffrey S. Waddell, her son Jeffrey S. Waddell Jr., of Wakefield, RI, her daughter Ashley Hopkins and her husband Jeffrey Hopkins of Wenham, MA, her grandchildren Dylan and Taylor Waddell and Amelie, Juliet and Thomas Hopkins. She also leaves her siblings Thomas and Michael Zipp, Carol Constant, and Maureen Hurley.

Calling hours will be held Sunday, October 14, 2018 from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Memorial Funeral Home, 375 Broadway, Newport.

Services for Nancy Waddell will be held on Monday, October 15, 2018, with a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00am in St. Marys Catholic Church, Spring Street, Newport.