I knew
Nancy for a long time, the kind of long time that spans changes in
people’s lives. And our first encounters were the friendly hellos that
characterized Aurora’s sidewalks 35 years ago. Living next to the post
office, I remember Nancy and George courting, sitting on the loading
dock in
our driveway, or Nancy hanging out on the front steps waiting for
George to
get off work at the post office. She talked to all the kids, she knew
all the
news.
Years later, when she became Village Clerk, Nancy was that same engaged
presence, embodying all that’s good about living in a small town. She
was
passionate about Aurora as an idea, and about Aurora as a collection of
individuals with individual ideas. These were often conflicting
concepts,
especially for someone in a position that is at the political hub of a
small
community. Yet Nancy handled her job with tact and grace. I will
remember
her for her passion, both pro and con, for her compassion, for her
wonderful
stories, and her love of talking things through. She was always ready
to
help, and certainly made our work on the Zoning Board of Appeals much
easier.
I have to admit that when the phone rang, and I heard ”Hi Bonnie. it’s
Nancy”
my heart often sank, thinking about what problem she was going to dump
in my
lap, but now, sitting in Rome, so far away, I’m having trouble
imagining what
it will be like to not have her there to help us. The Village of Aurora
is
much diminished by her leaving.
