Zeneida S. Peck Northcott

Zeneida (Swegun) Peck Northcott, 85, a longtime resident of Taunton Hill Road in Newtown, died December 11 at Norwalk Hospital. She was predeceased by Philip Curan Peck and widow of the Rev Thomas Northcott.

Born on September 20, 1919, in Hempstead, L.I., Ms Northcott attended the Fashion Institute of Technology and made Newtown her home for 50 years. A generous benefactor of the arts, and an indefatigable volunteer, she was well-known among community residents for her active role in the Christian Missionary Alliance, League of Women Voters, Planned Parenthood, and the Embroiderers Guild. She had an interfaith understanding and was a life member of Hadassah. She and Rev Northcott conducted bible classes at their Taunton Hill Road estate for many years. Her expertise in needlepoint (she was a protégé of Elsa Williams in New York/Massachusetts) made her home a favorite place for needlepoint lessons and meetings.

Known for her many good deeds, Ms Northcott personally participated with her late identical twin, Irene MeVay, in Alzheimer’s research at New York University over the past 15 years.

She is survived by two sons, Philip Curan Peck of Manhattan, N.Y., and John Hudson Peck and wife Carol of Littleton, Colo. She has three grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

The Honan Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. A Memorial service will be held at a future date.

The Newtown Bee     December 17, 2004