On January 13, 2018, Nancy Griffith Cathcart moved on to her next adventure, leaving her legacy of love and passion with all of us.
Nancy was born in Pittsburgh, Pa., and always had a warm place in her heart for that city and the rich family memories from her youth in and around Pittsburgh and her nearby and beloved Indian Lake.
The University of Vermont brought her to Vermont in her undergraduate days, and she fell in love with Burlington, leaving only briefly for graduate school in Oregon, and then returning to Vermont for the rest of her life. Although most recently she lived in Colchester, she was and will always be a true Burlingtonian. It was nearly impossible for her to walk down Church Street without stopping for a hug and a long chat with a friend every few feet of the way.
Nancy began her career in early childhood education at Trinity College Child Care Center and then Addison County Parent Child Center. But a move to Vermont Public Television began the career that we all know her for: brilliantly and passionately fundraising and grant writing for nonprofit institutions with missions that she believed in. Nancy conducted this work for a number of other local institutions, including Trinity College and Fletcher Allen Health Care, as well as serving as chair of the board of directors at Vermont CARES. Eventually she formed her own consultancy providing financial resource development strategies for nonprofits.
The next step in her career focused on passing on this legacy to the next generation as the founder and director of Champlain College’s Center for Service and Civic Engagement. This was the role and period of time where Nancy most flourished. Working with young, intelligent and passionate students, many lifelong friendships and relationships began. Nancy later worked as VP of development and community relations at the Greater Burlington YMCA, director of development at Boys & Girls Club of Burlington, and most recently as the president and CEO of the Humane Society of Chittenden County.
Throughout this time, Nancy raised her two sons, Hunter and Sam, cheering far too loudly (in her boys’ teenage opinions) at their basketball games and always showing up anytime and anyplace in their lives to help them through hard times and to help them celebrate the good times. She was a wonderful mother and a role model in the delicate mixture of compassion combined with strength of character and self-confidence. Most importantly, she made sure that her sons knew the value of following their hearts.
She leaves behind her three siblings and her mother, Lucy, as well as her two sons, their wives, and two young grandkids, whom she was only just beginning to enjoy and spoil for what we all thought would be much more time to come in the truly perfect role for her, that of grandmother.
After being diagnosed with ovarian cancer a little over a year ago and undergoing treatment with the love, support and care of her true love and partner, Casey, she was recently feeling healed, rested, and ready to get back to a life of fun and big plans. Sadly, her cancer recurred and took her from us suddenly. But her remaining days were full of family, friends, love and light, and many conversations about how she will somehow, with the help of us all, find the window in the universe to keep looking down and touching us as she did for the magical period of time when her energy was all gathered here in one place and time.
In the true spirit of Nancy, she wished for us all to celebrate her life when the warm sun returns this summer, rather than gathering to mourn her death in the darkness of winter. You will all know when this celebration happens, and you will all be welcome to join us in fulfilling this wish.
This article appears in The Wellness Issue 2018.
What a loss to her family, friends and this community. She has left us a legacy we can choose to further as she would do given longer life in the life we all know. She will be missed and her heart beat and zest will keep us on track hopefully. Condolences to her family and closest friends.
You were so good to me. May you gracefully take your next step in this great circle of life.
I am sorry for your loss, everyone who knew and loved and were inspired by this beautiful spirit. Godspeed Nancy.
A beautiful description of a life well lived.
Nancys passing is a loss to all who knew her and even to those whose paths she would have crossed had she lived longer life.
Our whole community will miss her.
So sad to hear of Nancys passing. I knew her through HSCC. She was a beautiful person. I will miss her.
A wonderful person who touched the lives of many people with her smile, humor and compassion. Nancy made a huge difference through her devotion to her family, friends and dedication to a better world.
Beyond beautiful, just like Nancy. Perfect. Beautiful. We love you, Nancy, always.
I remember the fantastic cheerleader at Carnegie HS. So sorry to hear this.
Kate Hendzel
Nancy was one of the most upbeat people I’ve known, always smiling, always a kind word. My enduring memory of Nancy was seeing her and her boys hanging out in their boat Sunday afternoons on the south side of Juniper Island. I also appreciate her kindness to my daughter Allison when they both worked at the Boys and Girls Club. My best to her family. John Freeman
Nancy was “the real deal” We worked together on many occasions, always with the best interests of children at the core. She had zest, compassion, focus and determination. The not for profit community was the clear beneficiary of her talent and largesse. I live in Atlanta now but recall, with great affection, our shared love of children and families.
Roxane Leopold
A beautiful tribute to Nancy. My thoughts and prayers of comfort go out to her boys, Sam & Hunter, to her family and friends, and to the man she obviously adored, Casey.
Nancy came into my life at Trinity College Childcare Center where I was Hunters pre-school teacher. Our lives eventually took us in different directions in Vermont. I am so grateful that Nancy and I had that time together. Thank you, Hunter, for bringing your beautiful mom into my world.
Catherine Willson
Aka, Cathy Cover
I knew Nancy for well over 20 years. Crossing paths often, most recently was just last month at the Great Northern on Pine St. We had a wonderful chat and she was so very hopeful that she was on the path to a full recovery. I was in complete shock and sadness when I learned of her passing.
May beautiful memories of this amazing woman help her loving family and friends during this most difficult of times.
Chris Powell
An amazing and capable woman who was an inspiration to all the many lives she touched. Nancy, you will be so missed by so many people.
She has been my soul sister for over 20 years, I was blessed with the tasked of cutting her long beautiful hair upon diagnosis to something short,sexy,sassy,and confident just like her. My last visit with her she again blessed me with some do rags to wear in her honor on my motorcycle and I will rock them.
See you in my dreams as always.
Love and light,
Nanci
I was sad to learn today of Nancy’s passing. I knew her during her time living in Oregon. While I hadn’t kept in touch with her after she returned to Vermont, I occasionally asked after her through a mutual friend. My recollection of Nancy back then (1970s) is that she was an intelligent, curious, and vivacious person who enjoyed having a good time. I particularly remember a couple trips we made from Salem to Corvallis to listen to bands playing at Mother’s Mattress Factory., a recollection I was just recently sharing with a friend from Corvallis.