Nina "Nini" Emerson Opel

On Sunday, September 18, 2022, Nina Emerson Opel died peacefully at home at age ninety-three.
Nina was treasured for her love and devotion to family and friends, and service to her community.  Nina was the world's most selfless person: she exemplified the social work concept of unconditional positive regard for everyone she met. No one made you feel more special than our beloved 'Nini.' She had a story or joke for every situation and her generosity of spirit touched everyone who met her. She was 'green' way before it was cool to be green, subtly leading by example. To the utter delight of her family and friends, Nina raised many litters of golden retriever puppies: she loved animals and they loved her!
Nina was born in Cambridge,  MA, the daughter of Rupert Emerson, a professor of government at Harvard University and Alla Grosjean Emerson who was born in Russia and educated in London and at Radcliffe College.  Nina attended Buckingham Brown and Nichols School where she had the distinction of being tardy almost every day despite the fact that the school was located across the street from her home. Being no stranger to adventure, she and her brother Billy climbed the exterior of every scalable building in Cambridge including the Commander Hotel and Harvard Law School. She finished High School at George School in Newtown, PA. and subsequently earned a Bachelor's Degree in Social Relations (how apt!) at Radcliffe. One evening, while out for dinner in Harvard Square, Nina felt unwell and a tall, handsome young man from Kansas escorted her outside. Seventy-one years of marriage to Bill Opel ensued! After receiving her Master's Degree from Simmons' School of Social Work,  Nina worked as a foster care worker in New York City. Nina and Bill then moved to Newport, RI for Bill's teaching job at St. George's School. While giving birth in 1956, Nina discovered she was having twins when the doctor announced, "And now we will go get the other one!" And then the real adventures began. Nina moved with her family to McLean, VA where her second daughter Sasha was born. After that, the family was off to Lower Sydenham, England, and then to Accra, Ghana where Nina was instrumental in growing the American Field Service program.
Upon the family's return from Africa, they lived in Oxon Hill, MD for eight years. After a number of moves through New England, Nina and Bill retired to their beloved family home in Eastham, MA, the property Nina's parents had purchased in 1938. Over many years, Nina and Bill entertained family and friends at home, making everyone feel welcomed. Her grandchildren nicknamed her 'Nini' which is how she became known to that entire generation. Nina earned local fame for selling over a million dollars worth of fundraising gift cards for the Interfaith Council (now Homeless Prevention Council)! She and Bill continued to travel adding India, and Mexico to the list that already included Egypt, Turkey, Morocco, Ethiopia, Burkina Faso, Benin, Togo, Ivory Coast, Russia and most of Europe.
Nina is survived by her husband William 'Bill' Opel, her daughter Suzanne Donner, (husband Stefan), their children Aza (husband Alex), Ilia, Konstantin and Anastasia; her daughter Sasha Opel (partner Bill), Sasha's sons Cary and Nicholas; sister Natasha Pfeiffer, brother Rupert Emerson (wife Nicolene), sister-in-law Sarah Meselson (partner Arthur), sister-in-law Regina Emerson, daughter-in law Jennifer Baker, and many beloved nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents Rupert and Alla Emerson, her brother William 'Billy' Key Bond Emerson III, and her son, Paul Opel.
The family wishes to thank Nina's care providers Liz, Gail, Ali, daughter Sasha, and sister-in-law Sarah who made it possible for her to live out her years at home.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, November 5, 2022, at 1 p.m. at Eastham Methodist Church, 3200 State Hwy (Route 6), Eastham, MA 02642. In lieu of giving flowers, the family asks that those who are able make a donation to the Homeless Prevention Council, PO Box 828 Orleans, MA 02653. https://www.hpccapecod.org/ .
For additional information or to send the family a written expression of sympathy, please visit an online guest book at www.dyer-lakefuneralhome.com .
Arrangements are under the direction of the Dyer-Lake Funeral Home, 161 Commonwealth Avenue, Village of Attleboro Falls, North Attleborough. (508) 695-0200