Nina Saltus, 76, Production Secretary

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Cornelia (Nina) Saltus, of Needham, passed away on Oct. 14, 2020. She was 76.

Nina was born and raised in Morristown, NJ and was a graduate of Sarah Lawrence College in Bronxville, NY. She was a resident of Needham for 32 years and had worked as a Production Secretary for WGBH TV in Boston for many years. She was a member of the Needham Garden Club and was a devoted participant in the First Parish Needham community. She loved choral music and attending theatre, arts and musical events. She also had a great interest in Native American culture and art.

Nina is survived by her husband John H. Smith, her daughter and son-in-law Kendra Smith and Sam Knowles and her sisters Lydia Saltus Menendez and Sarah Saltus Siddig, as well as several nieces and nephews

A virtual Memorial Service was held an Saturday, November 14, 2020 at 2:00 pm by First Parish Needham, U.U..

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to First Parish Needham, Music Endowment Fund, 23 Dedham, Ave., Needham, MA.

4 Comments

  1. Lucinda Winslow on December 11, 2020 at 6:28 pm

    Nina was a guiding light, yes, steadying for all of us charging at the news every evening, managing the different shifts, and inevitable dramas. A lovely smile, with lovely sisters whom I knew in high school. Self-contained, Nina would open up about music. and the concerts she’d attended. Oh Nina, I shall miss you.

  2. Deborah Gillespie on December 11, 2020 at 1:16 pm

    Oh Nina, how I remember you so….!

    Nina was already in her place on the so-called “strip” when I arrived as Mark Stevens’ secretary in the early 1970’s. Her desk was right behind mine, and she was the epitome of class, culture, sophiscation, and had an endearing sense of properness. She was definitely someone I tried to emulate.

    And that long gorgeous red hair! One in awhile, I’d catch a glimpse of her swinging those lovely locks around as if signaling that magic was about to happen.

    Goodbye dear Nina; you were always a sparkler in so many ways.

  3. Hillary Kimmel on December 8, 2020 at 7:49 pm

    I’m shocked and saddened to learn of Nina’s passing. Nina was the epitome of class and efficiency in all the ways that she supported us young captioners. She was utterly authentic with her take charge, cool manner, her smile, laugh, lilting musical voice and that red hair.
    Nina you are memorable and missed. May her memory be a blessing.

  4. Jeff Hutchins on December 8, 2020 at 7:25 pm

    I’m saddened to receive this news. Nina was an integral part of the origination of The Caption Center at WGBH, which was formed in 1972. She was Phil Collyer’s assistant, and I’m sure Phil would say that Nina was essential to the launch and success of captioning in the ’70s before the arrival of closed captioning technology. She was efficient and brought a resolute integrity to her job. I last saw her about two years ago at the most recent ‘GBH reunion. I will certainly miss her at the next one.

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