‘Incredibly dynamic person’: Dozens gather for slain Newton mom allegedly killed by husband

NEWTON — A Newton mother who police say was beaten to death by her husband is being remembered by students from her fitness class.

Dozens of people gathered to shed light on domestic violence and to honor their friend during a vigil.

“Nancy was this incredibly dynamic person who is very meaningful to all of us,” says Diana Rodriguez, a fitness student of Nancy Hanson.

Two weeks after Nancy Hanson’s husband Richard Hanson was charged with taking her life at their home, the Newton community gathered to grieve and to remember their beloved fitness instructor.

“Nancy was able to make the gym attractive to show up,” says Tom Gehman, a fitness student of Nancy Hanson.

Police say Nancy’s children were home during the alleged deadly attack on their mother. One of them even called 911 begging for help.

Nancy’s favorite color was red, so her friends and fitness students wore the color and walked in her honor.

“I’ve known Nancy for more than 20 years it is a huge loss for all of us,” says one of the students from Nancy’s fitness class.

Now some of her students don’t know if they have the motivation to ever step foot in her gym again.

“She was always on top of us to keep us moving, to make it fun,” says Gehman.

“I don’t know when I can go back to the gym,” says one of the students from Nancy’s fitness class.

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