Nancy Elaine Perkins Arata, of Marblehead, passed away peacefully at home May 26 surrounded by family and caregivers from NeighborGood Care.
Arata left a legacy of grace and wisdom bolstered by passionate strength and determination. She found greatest joy in rich relationships and devotion to loved ones.
Born Oct. 27, 1945, in Dallas, Arata spent 20 years with her mother, Mary Ruth, father, Clayton Perkins, and brother Ben Perkins, to whom she was devoted. A 1963 “Starlet” lieutenant on the drill team at W.W. Samuell High School, she graduated from the University of Texas in 1967, where her love of the arts inspired seeking wide experiences.
This curiosity led Arata from Texas to England, working as a personal assistant to Beatles manager Brian Epstein. After two formative UK years, she headed west to San Francisco, serving as assistant company manager for the first “Hair” touring production at the Orpheum Theatre. Roles followed at the American Conservatory Theater and San Francisco Opera, growing her arts career.
Drawn to Boston’s WGBH in public relations, Arata was later recruited to the Massachusetts Council on the Arts and Humanities, serving seven years as director of public information as the budget jumped from $1 million to $20 million due to her strategic communication skills. She became a consummate fundraiser and administrator with senior leadership roles at the New England Conservatory, Boston Symphony Orchestra, Brookings Institution, National Trust for Historic Preservation and, finally, vice president at the New England Aquarium. Arata brought creativity, persistence and flair to development positions crucial to key campaigns like restoring the New England Conservatory’s Jordan Hall and the New England Aquarium’s giant ocean tank. She mentored many younger leaders.
In 1983 leaving a Boston hotel, Arata inadvertently met her 6-foot-5 Italian husband, John W. Arata. Their relationship was a wellspring of love, hope and devotion, with two sons, Nat and Alex. Her skill at blending families was among her biggest, cherished accomplishments.
Elected to Marblehead’s Abbot Public Library Board in 2015, Arata as chair spearheaded raising $10 million to finance a major renovation, positioning the library for superior future service reflecting her belief in libraries’ democratic foundations.
Survivors include sons Alex and Nat Arata; daughters-in-law Melissa Huggard Arata and Kelly Dietz Arata; grandsons Sebastian, Lucca and Dashiell; Texas cousins; and nieces and nephews.
A gathering will be held June 6 at 4 p.m. at the Boston Yacht Club. Memorial contributions may be made to the Abbot Public Library Foundation.
