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Nancy King Obituary
Nancy C. King
Nancy C. King died on Sunday, October 31, 2010, at her home in Ivy, Virginia. The cause was complications arising from cancer. She was 59 years old.
Nancy was born in Bronxville, New York. She grew up in Baltimore, Maryland, and Montclair, New Jersey. She graduated from the University of Missouri with a degree in journalism and worked as a reporter for radio stations in Little Rock, Arkansas, Washington, D.C., and Charlottesville, Virginia. In the Nineties, Nancy hosted the radio program, Charlottesville Live. She later worked with the Virginia Foundation for the Humanities to produce radio programs for National Public Radio. Nancy's perennial love of radio began in Baltimore, where she listened to Orioles games while finishing homework in her bedroom.
In her thirties, Nancy developed a passion for birdwatching. She published newsletters for birding groups in Little Rock and Charlottesville. Her appreciation of birds eventually encompassed the natural world and later blossomed into avid gardening. Nancy also enjoyed travel. She organized and participated in trips to spot birds, tour gardens and just observe the wonderfulness of nature.
In addition to her husband, Michael McGowan, Nancy is survived by two children, Nicholas and Grace McGowan; and three brothers, William, John and James King.
The family expresses its sincerest gratitude to the community for the innumerable blessings delivered in your kind words, prayers and deeds.
In lieu of flowers, Nancy's fond wish is for friends to honor her by dedicating time, momentary or prolonged, to admire nature's plants and animals, even its bugs. Nancy hopes you, too, discover memories to cherish and an appreciation for the great and small wonders of the world around us. If you wish to "plant a tree" or contribute to an organization to do this, that would be nice too.
A memorial service will be held at Saint Paul's Episcopal Church in Ivy, Virginia, 1 p.m. Sunday, November 14, 2010.
Friends may send condolences to the family at www.hillandwood.com.
This obituary was originally published in the Daily Progress.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Carolyn Engelhard
October 26, 2019
Nine years later, I still have Nancy's picture on my bookshelf. She is smiling in a yellow slicker, cowgirl hat, holding an aluminum watering can. I am sure there is a bag of birdseed on the ground out of view. Nancy has visited me in at least one dream and I woke up happy. I miss her always and honor her spirit. My thoughts and love go to Mike, Nick, and Grace.
David Sherman
December 30, 2010
I was shocked to hear about Nancy's passing. Although we were not
really close we did go to the senior prom at Montclair together.
I was happy to hear her on the radio just once. Best wishes to you
Mike and your children.
November 14, 2010
Dear Mike,
I am so very sorry to hear about Nancy; I wish we had kept in closer contact so that I would have been aware of her illness. I know you and your family are going through a difficult time but please don't hesitate to call me or Linda. We are making a donation to the Chesapeake Bay Foundation in Nancy's memory.
Jerry and Linda Dixon
Kathy Cornelius
November 10, 2010
I just heard of Nancy's passing. I never met her but she and I talked almost daily for several weeks through her Pet Patrol announcements on WINA as we attempted to find our hopelessly lost dog Teton during a snowy and icy Jan/Feb 10 years ago. She was so kind and positive, just convinced that we would find him. After 2-1/2 weeks of talking about him on the radio every day, it paid off – Teton was found – 20 lbs lighter and 13 miles away. She was as thrilled as we were. I’d like to think they could find each other up there and enjoy a pain-free, carefree walk. To her family, I am so sorry for your loss.
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Purstell
November 8, 2010
Dear Mick, Grace and Nick,
Nancy will be greatly missed by the family and all who knew her, but your wonderful memories of her will always live on in your hearts.
Beverly and Frank Purstell
Sue Oliveri
November 8, 2010
Dear Mike, Nick and Grace,
I just heard about Nancy's passing and would like you to know how much I thought of her. I am thinking of her astute comments, kindness and warmth. I know that she was passionate and devoted to her family and nature. I enjoyed hearing her work on the radio it felt like we were connecting.
I send my thoughts and wishes for your healing.
My deepest sympathies.
Carolyn Engelhard
November 6, 2010
Pals for 30 years, Nancy is just about my oldest friend. I will always cherish her grace, generosity, and good humor, not to mention her knowledge about birds, bugs, butterflies, and gardens. Nancy lived life to the fullest and just the way she wanted. I think of her every day. My love to Mike, Grace, and Nick.
November 4, 2010
Nancy King was not only one of the best radio hosts I have ever heard. She was a wonderful person, and her passing is very sad news. My deepest sympathies to her family.
November 4, 2010
Dear Mike, Nick and Grace: Nancy's passing is such a surprise and our prayers and thoughts are with your entire family both here in Little Rock and in VA. It was a joy to live across the street from ya'll and watch Nick and Grace grow and be happy. We missed you when you moved and will miss Nancy even more at this time. Much Love and our dearest sympathy, Cal, Veeta, Scott and Catherine Biggers
November 3, 2010
Michael, I just read the news while overseas and our thoughts are with you. I will try to call when I can. Nancy was such a special person and very special to me during my time as Mayor in the midnineties and since. We had a great time on her radio show; she was a wonderful host and she was so helpful to my career. Over the last several months, I spent more and more time bird watching, and I have to believe(since I never was a birdwatcher) that it was a reflection of thoughts of her entering my mind. She will surely be missed. With deepest sympathy, David Toscano, Nancy Tramontin, and Matthew
November 2, 2010
Michael, please know that you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. Your beautiful wife fought her disease with such courage and will be missed by all those who were fortunate enough to know her.
With deepest sympathy, Katya Spicuzza
November 2, 2010
Our prayers are with your family.
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