SALISBURY — Nancy Damm, 91, passed away peacefully at her home on Lake Dunmore on the morning of Dec. 15, 2024.

ANNE F. “NANCY” DAMM

Nancy was born Feb. 25, 1933, at Victory Memorial Hospital in Brooklyn, N.Y., to Margaret Bush Damm and Arthur Damm. She was the eldest of five children, and she very much embraced the roles of trusted advisor, protector and judge in the family. As a young woman she attended and graduated from Fordham Law School with a JD. She practiced law for many years; most notably she worked for 17 years at NBC as part of their legal team negotiating marketing contracts, retiring in 1990.

In 1991, wishing to have a place to care for her mother and to live in a place she truly loved, Nancy built a year-round house on Lake Dunmore. Her family had spent their summers staying at their cottages on the Lake since the early 1960s. In 1995 she sold her apartment in Manhattan and moved to Salisbury as a permanent resident.

Nancy was a private and particular person, who enjoyed living on her own and treasured her independence. If you had the privilege of getting to know her, you quickly realized that she was an exceptional woman. She knew what she wanted, and she made sure she reached her goals.

Nancy was excellent at making and maintaining connections with people — she never missed a birthday or anniversary — and her interests were so diverse that she could have a conversation with nearly anyone. Nancy had an excellent knack for recognizing the potential a person held, and she knew how to guide people toward exploring their interests and ideas.

Nancy enjoyed long car rides exploring the backroads of Vermont, and never passed up an opportunity to sample a creemee and notify her loved ones of its ranking among others she had tried. She made it clear that any outing involving a meal would be her treat — there were no ifs, ands, or buts about it! Nancy was also a lover of the arts. She made a point to purchase works from local artists, often gifting her favorites to her beloved nieces and nephews — hanging blown-glass ornaments, and carved wooden dogs are among some of the most fondly remembered.

She loved the theater as well. Nancy, along with a small group of friends, would regularly attend productions at the Flynn, St. Mikes, Lyric Theater, and the Town Hall Theater, among others. Nancy also loved to cook, and as she aged, the spicier the better! She was an early adopter of technology — Alexa told her the market reports and the weather every morning. Nancy also had a special affinity for household gadgets — the easier a task could be accomplished, the better. As she aged, she was particularly thankful for the people who helped to make her life easier. Of special note are Greg and Kim Schroeder, Sandi Beauregard, Wayne and Diane Smith, Kirk and Lynn Hansen, and her grandniece, Caitlan Stephens. Each of these people held a special place in Nancy’s heart, and she was deeply grateful for all the time and attention these people were able to offer her, particularly over the past couple years.

Nancy is predeceased by her father Arthur J. Damm; mother Margaret B. Damm; a brother Charles; brother Arthur “Arty” Damm; and sister Margaret “Margue/Peg” Buckley. She is survived by her sister, Rosemary Damm; her sister-in-law Bernadette “Bunny” Damm; and her nieces, nephews and their families: The Pinque family: Maggie, Marco, Peter, and Bella.

The Stephens family: Annemarie and Ted; Caitlan and Kyle Reed (Luca, Alden, and Emmett); Joshua; Jennifer and Dalton Leeman (Lorelai); Nathaniel.

The McCarthy family: Jane and Brian; Colleen; Doug and Mallorie.

The Buckleys: Tom and Kim; Jack; Lily; Kate; Molly.

The Damms: Charles and Margaret: Michael; Chris and Erin; Brigid and Brian Vodoklys (Autumn).

The Senkens: Tracy and Matt; Andrew; James; Grace.

Edward and Betty Damm.

Per Nancy’s wishes, there will be no services. Next time you enjoy a creemee at your favorite ice cream spot, or see light purple tulips, think of Nancy — we think she’d like that. If you feel inclined to make a donation in her memory, one of her favorite organizations to support was the Vermont Food Bank. Donations can be made online at: https://www.vtfoodbank.org/donate.

Arrangements under the direction of Sanderson-Ducharme Funeral Home. Online condolences at: www.sandersonfuneralhome.com. ◊