Nancy (Penney) Macmillan, 81, of Milton, MA, formerly a lifelong resident of Hopkinton, MA, passed away peacefully on Sunday, November 23, 2025 at the Boston Medical Center surrounded by her loving family.
She was the loving wife of the late William F. Macmillan Jr. for 58 years.
Nancy was born in Framingham, MA to the late Richard “Joe” Penney and the late Agnes (McIntyre) Penney. Following her graduation from Hopkinton High School in 1962, she completed cosmetology training at Kens Cosmetology School in Framingham and opened the Lovely Lady Beauty Salon in Hopkinton, which she owned and operated for 58 years.
Nancy was a hobby enthusiast with a passion for learning new crafts and making treasured gifts for family and friends. She never ceased to amaze those around her with her talent and creativity, most notably stained glass lamps and windows she made for her home, hundreds of hand-woven baskets, some of which she was specially trained to weave on Nantucket, and the hand-sewn heirloom Christmas tree skirts that were a favorite bridal shower gift. When she was not at her salon or focusing on her craft projects, you could find Nancy at one of her favorite places, the salon at Bethany Convent, where she enjoyed the company of the Sisters of St. Joseph who she considered extended family.
Nancy is survived by her five children, William F. Macmillan III and his wife Ursula of Milton, MA, Brenda Macmillan and her partner Paul of Pelham, NH, Karen Schiloski of Mendon, MA, Laura Doherty and her husband Timothy of Gray Court, SC and Daniel Macmillan and his wife Caroline of Hopkinton, MA, her grandchildren, Stephanie Brown and her fiancé Cameron, Lindsay Galvin and her husband Sean, Kylie Collari and her husband Anthony, Sarah Connolly and her partner Preston, Peter Schiloski, William F. Macmillan IV, Jessica Connolly, John Schiloski, Emma St. Laurent, Joseph Schiloski, Patrick Connolly, Jackson Macmillan, Senan Macmillan and Kiernan Macmillan, and her great grandchildren James, Bryleigh, Elli, Connor, Timothy and Navy. She is predeceased by her grandson Maxwell Connolly.
She was the sister of the late Mary “Penny” Mortensen, Donna McKenna and Richard Penney Jr. and leaves several nieces and nephews.
The funeral will be held Tuesday, December 2 at 9:00 a.m. from Callanan Cronin Funeral Home. A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. in St. John the Evangelist Parish. Burial will follow in Mount Auburn Cemetery, Hopkinton. Calling hours at the funeral home are Monday, December 1 from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a contribution in her memory to the Sisters of St. Joseph, 37 Cambridge St, Boston, MA 02135.
