Nan White

Nan White, 98, North Conway watercolor artist, died peacefully on December 26, 2011 at Mineral Springs Nursing Home in North Conway. Born in Sweden in 1913 on November 23, Nan lived 98 years. Nan is survived by her brother Evald "Al" Albrektson, a watercolorist who resides in West Warwick, RI. She is also survived by her niece Jan Albrektson Messier of Cranston RI, her nephew & wife, David and Jeanne Albrektson of Jamestown RI, and nephew Richard Svenson. Nan was blessed with many loyal and steadfast friends including Cindy Spencer of Fryeburg Me, Myrna Lloyd of Marblehead MA and Kearsarge, Martha Pedersen of North Conway, Jean Hurley of Wonalancet, and Holly Huhn of North Conway. and many, many more. Nan's god daughter, Kirsten Murphy, and her family of Providence, RI were amongst Nan's frequent visitors. Nan is predeceased by her husband William White, her sister-in-law Evelyn Albrektson, her younger sisters Dagny Albrektson Svenson and Alice Albrektson McCarroll, nephew Robert McCarroll as well as Elinor Larson Murphy, special family friend.
When Nan was 9 years old she and her family immigrated to the United States and settled in Rhode Island. She entered second grade knowing no English, but eager to learn and make friends. Family obligations required Nan to enter the work force before completing her education. In later years she was proud to become a US citizen and to achieve her GED.
Nan fell head over heels in love with William White. After their marriage in 1937, they relocated in North Conway. For one dollar, they purchased land on Grove Street in 1945 from Harvey Dow Gibson and later built their modest home. Nan and Bill were the owners of the Old Colony Restaurant - now approximately where Horsefeathers stands.
In her forties, Nan began to paint with watercolors and to learn about art. She took lessons from Lewis Hodgkins, also of North Conway. Nan believed that she saw everything in a new and different light - from a painter's view. A vorac