Nancy H. Paulson, Former Member of the East Brunswick Board of Education, Passes Away

Nancy Paulson, who served as a longtime member of the East Brunswick Board of Education, passed away on September 15, 2025 surrounded by her family.

Nancy grew up on Saugatuck shores until the age of 11. The ocean was her home, where she would often be found fishing or clamming. She was well respected among the local fishermen, who, impressed by her skill and perseverance, would often trade their bounty and leave her with a bucket full of lobster - her forever favorite food.

She was a lover of sports. As a child, she arrived at football tryouts in full gear and her short hair only to be turned away once they realized she was a girl - a decision that left her completely baffled.

Nancy attended Presbyterian University of Pennsylvania Medical Center for nursing where she also worked as faculty after graduation. There, she and her nursing school friends formed the LBDs (Lusty Busty Dozen), a circle of lifelong companions. In 1966, Nancy fell in love with her devoted husband, Lael, during a blind date at an Army Navy game.

While in nursing school, she was the star basketball player and later played in a European basketball league in Italy where she was captain and high scorer. Her only regret was likely being born a little too soon to play in the WNBA.

Her nursing career took her from the ER in Philly to the U.S. Naval Hospital in Naples, Italy, then to New Orleans and finally to Baltimore. Although she left her career in nursing in ‘85 to raise her two daughters to whom she gave the world, she forever remained a nurse. Nancy was the person from whom everyone sought council and advice. She walked countless friends through their health battles. She was a voice of reason and a safe sounding board for anyone who needed it.

Through her deep devotion to her daughters, she became president of the PTA at Frost School. Her commitment and passion for improving education for all grew throughout her time living in East Brunswick, NJ. Nancy was on the Board of Education for nearly a decade and worked on the Special Education Committee, Curriculum Committee, and Affirmative Action Committee, to name a few. She worked tirelessly to create better conditions and greater accessibility within the school system. She met her dear friend Holly Howard when their children were young, and the two became a duo to be reckoned with, as they stood for students, made change, and loved with abandon!

Nancy believed in people and the power of the human spirit. She encouraged many young people to pursue their passions, to take risks, and to trust themselves. She was a fierce supporter and advocate of the arts. Through her unwavering dedication to her daughters, she launched herself into the role of Business Director of the New Jersey Dance Theatre Ensemble from 1994 to 2005, where she poured the same energy and commitment that defined every part of her life. Once again, Nancy became not only a guiding presence for the young dancers who passed through the school, but also a source of support and deep friendship for the professional dancers who came to teach. To the very end, she held close in her heart those dancers and friends whom she crossed paths with at NJDTE.

Nancy remained an avid gardener, a natural storyteller, an obsessive seaglass hunter, a lover of animals–in particular her late dogs Sally, Harry, Molly, Manisses, and Euripides–and above all, the most incredible mother and grandmother one could wish for. She instilled in her daughters a deep passion for the arts and, while always remaining a source of love and stability, encouraged them to take flight and follow their dreams. She leaves behind her loving husband of 55 years, Lael Paulson; her daughters Sarah Laplante (Travis Laplante) and Susie Paulson (Peter Trosztmer); her grandson, Loki Trosztmer; her sister, Susan Davis; and her niece, Nancy McMullen.

Memorial contributions may be made to East Brunswick Education Foundation (EBEF)