Shirley Nash

COLEBROOK – Shirley Nash, 87, of Colebrook, passed away peacefully on Sunday, May 31, 2026, after a period of declining health. She was born in Shenandoah, Virginia, on Dec. 26, 1938, a daughter to the late Carvey and Lena Mae (Lawson) Purdham. Shirley met her husband, Eddie, while serving at a church supper in her town while he was there visiting with a friend on leave from their military service in Korea. Ed always said he went in for a meal and came out with a wife. They were married in Virginia and then settled in Colebrook and bought a dairy farm. Shirley did a lot of the milking and the other daily chores all through their farming days. Along with farming, she and Ed started buying and selling machinery which led to much bigger things and the current establishment known far and wide as Nash Equipment. She loved cooking and making lunches for the many employees of the business, and she would often make trips to go after machinery parts, just about anywhere and everywhere, including Canada. Shirley was an integral part of the business. She loved to quilt and her hand-made quilts were sent as far as California and to London, England, as well as going to and being displayed at many quilt shows all over New England with her daughter, Susie. Shirley loved to go dancing on Saturday nights, and there was no one who could beat her at a game of Checkers. She also loved to play the piano. She loved spending time with her grandson, Dana, on many trips back home to Virginia to visit family and friends. Shirley is survived by three children, Susan Nash (Andre Grondin) of Colebrook, Scott (Helen) Nash of Colebrook, and Christopher (Karen) Nash of Concord, N.H.; many grandchildren and great-grandchildren; as well as several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her husband of 46 years, Edward Nash in 2004, and by a daughter, Melanie, in 2022. The family will have a private service on a later date. Expressions of sympathy in memory of Mrs. Nash may be made to the Monadnock Congregational Church, c/o 24 Parsons St., Colebrook, NH 03576 Condolences may be offered to the family on-line by going to www.jenkinsnewman.com. Arrangements are entrusted to the care of Jenkins & Newman Funeral Home in Colebrook.

Shirley Nash

December 26, 1938 - May 31, 2026