LAKE FREDERICK—Nancy Kimberly “Kim” Pontillo (née Houghton) died peacefully at her Lake Frederick home in the loving care of her family on Wednesday August 21, 2024. She was 68.
Born on June 12, 1956, Kim was the first of four children of the Reverend Dr. John E. and Edith C. Houghton, and grew up in Kilmarnock, where Dr. Houghton was pastor of the Kilmarnock Baptist Church.
Kim’s childhood and school years were richly intertwined with her church, most notably in sharing her musical talent in the church choir and scores of musical programs over the years. She also served as a piano accompanist for Lancaster High School choirs.
After graduating from high school, Kim attended Westhampton College of the University of Richmond before enlisting in the U.S. Navy as an intelligence specialist with the Special Warfare Command at Little Creek. After her active duty service, Kim completed her degree work, receiving a BA from St. Leo’s College. She remained dedicated to the armed forces as a U.S. Navy reservist. She pursued a career in the defense industry, including working for Syscon, Northrop Grumman and most recently serving as a contract closeout manager with Peraton.
It was through her work that Kim met Nelson Pontillo. Their connection grew over time and they were married in 1992 at the Kilmarnock Baptist Church in a ceremony officiated by her father.
Family love and support were central to Kim and Nelson’s life together. Kim found great joy hosting wonderful holiday meals and celebrations. She was also an avid traveler, journeying with friends and family as far west as Hawaii and as far east as Greece. It was Italy, however, that became Kim and Nelson’s favorite destination. Kim relished the opportunity to experience regional food and wine, meet members of Nelson’s extended family and stroll along the jewelry shops on Florence’s Ponte Vecchio.
Closer to home, Kim became a late-in-life baseball fan with the arrival of the Washington Nationals, attending years of opening day, regular season and playoff games—including the 2019 World Series!– with family and friends. And though she and Nelson had moved from their long-time home in Herndon to Lake Frederick, Kim continued to return to the Northern Virginia area to stay in touch with dear friends and colleagues.
Kim is survived by her loving husband, Nelson Pontillo; her mother, Edith C. Houghton; and her three brothers, Mark Houghton and his wife Theresie, Paul Houghton and his wife Dianne, and Micah Houghton, his wife Laura and children Tim and Charlotte. She is also survived by her bonus family, who became an important and loving part of her life, including Nelson’s daughters, JoAnne and husband Kenneth “Tex” Weaver, Lynn Pontillo, and Mary Pontillo and husband Christian Galdencio; and Nelson’s grandchildren, Abby McKellips and husband Ian, Emma Weaver, Chris Anastasopoulos and fiancé Andrew Carson, Caitlyn Tetterton, Kacie Tetterton and Julia Galdencio.
No funeral or memorial service is currently planned. Those who wish to make a memorial gift are asked to consider a contribution to the American Cancer Society or to Blue Ridge Hospice.
