Remembering Nancy Alm

Grace Wakefield
I visited Nancy in her home the week before she passed on. She was alert and talkative and full of smiles. We reminisced about the fun we had had together at Paint-Ins.

“Remember when the Christmas balls that we hung up to dry at Jack’s Gallery fell down and smashed to pieces?” she said. We laughed about that.
“And remember how the paint never would dry in those darn balls?”
“Yes , and I remember painting Christmas balls in this room with all of us huddled around the dining room table while Gertraud snapped photos of us trying to be artistic on curved surfaces,” I said. More laughter followed.
We talked of the May plein air gatherings in the Refuge Inn on Chincoteague. This was Nancy’s “baby.” She would contact painters from across the Bay who would come and spend the day painting with us. Nancy
would act as the Master of Ceremonies at the “Show and Tell /Wine and Cheese Hour” which always ended in boisterous camaraderie.
Nancy spoke of what her art meant to her. She said her paintings were like her children. She found it hard to part with them and said that when you invest your feelings and emotions in a painting it is difficult to give
it up for sale. We spoke of leaving this life. She said she was looking
forward to the next part of her journey and that she was ready to go. She had had a good life.  I left this last meeting with Nancy with a sense of joy.
This was a life well lived. She was a model I could follow. I hope to be as brave and clearheaded as she when my time comes. My heart goes out to Nancy’s family members. She will be sorely missed by them
and by all of us in the Art League.

Nancy Carr Roberts
I am a long distance ESAL member who joined after the first annual Chincoteague paint out. Nancy was responsible for the excitement that our Hampton Art League Members have each year when May/June roll around. At least 10 or more members have gone each year and have thoroughly enjoyed not only the painting, but the connection to the ESAL. Nancy was responsible for bringing these two groups together and promoting our love of painting and people! We always enjoyed going out to dinner on Friday night and getting to know our ESAL friends better. Nancy will be with us in spirit in 2009, but oh so missed by everyone. She was gracious and enthusiastic and just a dear person. So thank you from the
Hampton Art League for Nancy and your friendship!

Jack Richardson
Nancy was President and I was Vice-President around 2004-2006. She was very adamant about the ESAL being a professional organization and was very detail oriented which was reflected in her work. At the time of her presidency, Nancy was also battling cancer which she courageously overcame for the second time. She continued to lead the organization with enthusiasm. She had been a member of the New Jersey Watercolor Society where she won many awards and brought their sense of organization to the shore. The third battle with cancer gradually overpowered her but she never lost her radiant smile and optimism. We will miss you Nancy.

Diana Davis
Nancy was a wonderful lady, such a brave strong person. Everything I have known about her made her someone to look up to and admire, her art was gorgeous, her life was strong, wise and gentle, and a person I wish I had known better. I will always remember her as a gracious artist and lady.
 

In Nancy’s memory, donations can be made to the Eastern Shore Art League, P.O. Box 15, Locustville, VA 23404 or to the Barrier Islands Center, 7205 Young Street, Machipongo, VA 23405.