Eva Nancy Gallant (Borglund), born December 15, 1929, passed away in Ayer, MA on Sept. 24, 2015 from complications of Alzheimer’s disease.
She was born in Stockholm, Sweden where she spent her childhood. As a young woman she was a journalist for a newspaper in Stockholm where she often served as the reporter for the entertainment section. Eva was a big fan of the Swedish film director, Ingmar Bergman, and was thrilled when she had the opportunity to interview him while on the set of one of his movies. She was also a gymnast/dancer with the Swedish rhythmic gymnastics team, fondly known as “The Idla Girls”. Under the direction of Ernst Idla, she had the opportunity to travel and perform in different countries, including Argentina.
Eva was in her early 30s when she met her American husband while traveling in Europe in the 1960s. They married, and she moved to the US, eventually becoming a US citizen. She started a family, and resided on a farm near Anderson, SC, where they lived for many years before moving to Newton, MA, and eventually to her true last residence, on the island of Martha’s Vineyard, off the coast of MA. The essence and nature of Martha’s Vineyard became part of her soul, because it reminded her so much of her homeland of Sweden.
Eva was a prolific artist of fiber and textile works. Her artistic abilities in this medium included paper making, weaving and knitting with wire. Her work was exhibited in numerous galleries, including on Martha’s Vineyard at Featherstone Meetinghouse for the Arts, the Field Gallery and Shaw Cramer Gallery. She also exhibited her pieces in national and regional shows across the US, including prominently in shows at the Massachusetts Society for Arts and Crafts on Newbury Street, the Arts Foundation of Boston, the Warwick Museum in Rhode Island, and the Berkshire Museum in Pittsfield, MA.
Art was Eva’s passion, and she continued to produce works until her illness prevented her from doing so any further. She had a marvelous sense of humor, often portrayed in her art. She loved animals, and had a special fondest for the feline variety. She was a kind, loving and generous spirit, always able to find beauty in even the simplest of things. She will be greatly missed by her family and friends.
A cure for Alzheimer’s was not possible for Eva because there hasn’t been enough money available for research. Therefore, her family is grateful for your financial contribution to Cure Alzheimer’s Fund, of any size, as it will help scientists to find the answers.