Watercolor artist, sister, mother, and grandmother, “Nanny” Nancy Slater Larkin died peacefully in her home surrounded by her family on August 27, 2024 at the age of 88.
Nancy Larkin is survived by her sister Sharon Stitely (Altamonte Springs), her daughter Kerry Sullivan (Terry of Maitland), her son John Larkin Jr. (Dione of Fern Park), her daughter Cathy Larkin (Tim Egan of New Smyrna Beach), her grandson Patrick Sullivan (Risa, of Jacksonville Beach, ) her granddaughter Katy Sullivan ( of Arlington, VA) and her grandson Jacob Collier ( of Altamonte Springs.)
Nancy was born on March 28, 1936, in Miami, FL. She grew up in Hollywood, FL surrounded by water, swimming, fishing, boating and crabbing. She was a beach baby who turned her whole family into beach lovers. She graduated from Stetson University in 1958 with a B.A. in Elementary Education. In 1961 Nancy married John Larkin of Quincy, MA, an electronics salesman.
Living in Orlando after college, she began teaching at Blankner Elementary School until becoming a fulltime mother. Nancy was an excellent cook who threw the best dinner parties. She was a school volunteer, girl scout leader, CCD teacher, member of St. Mary Magdalen’s St. Vincent de Paul’s Circle, and also active in numerous ministries of her church. She was an alumna member of Alpha Xi Delta, seamstress, quilter, tennis player, golfer, bridge player, and avid sports fan.
In 1990, Nancy began studying watercolor seriously. Nancy’s grandmother was also an artist who inspired her. She dabbled in china painting for many years like her grandmother but was later drawn to the beauty of watercolor. Nancy has studied with many known artists nationwide and abroad. She particularly enjoyed her plane air trips to paint in Mexico, Greece, France, Spain, and Ireland. Nancy was a long-time member of the Artist League of Orange County, then later went on be the first and second president of the Central Florida Watercolor Society.
Nancy took first place in their juried Tri-State competition in 2008. She has also won several local awards. Nancy’s works can be seen in local galleries in the Orlando area and in North Carolina. It was in North Carolina where Nancy and her artist friends took yearly trips to “Art Camp” to produce wonderful works and grow their friendships. Nancy has also been a popular teacher of the batik/wax method of making watercolor greeting cards. She taught painting to children and adults in her home, and to older adults in retirement homes.
A funeral Mass is scheduled for Saturday, September 21, 2024 at 1:00 p.m., at St. Mary Magdalen Catholic Church in Altamonte Springs, FL. All are welcome to attend and celebrate Nancy’s life. Flowers and condolences may be sent to 793 Wayne Ave. Altamonte Springs FL 32750.