Nancy Lewis, aptly described as a force of nature in Colorado Springs, a beautiful person, a community champion, and a hero, died Saturday, June 30 at Rose Medical Center in Denver after a long struggle with lung disease. Nancy was the retired director of the Colorado Springs Parks and Recreation Department and past President and Trustee of the Garden of the Gods Foundation and the Garden of the Gods Visitor Center. She was also a long-time advisor and Trustee for the Lyda Hill Foundation in Dallas, Texas. Nancy was born in Blair, Nebraska on December 28, 1938, to Edith Hazel and Kenneth Adam George. She moved to Colorado Springs in 1958. She fiercely loved her family and is survived by two daughters, Debbie Long (Hal) of Colorado Springs and Jamie Alley (Mike) of Arvada. She was the very proud grandmother to five grandsons: Christopher Long and granddaughter-in-law Courtney, Joshua Alley, Dr. Michael Long, Jordan Alley and Spencer Alley, and great-grandmother to Colin Long, Conor Long and Cora Long. She is also survived by two nephews, Steven George and Gary George. Serving the City of Colorado Springs for 27 years in a variety of capacities, Nancy started in 1966 as a part-time recreation leader and moved up the ranks to become the first female director of Department of Parks and Recreation in 1987. As director, some of her proudest accomplishments included creating the Colorado Springs Senior Center and working with a group of volunteers to create the Garden of the Gods Foundation. Since its inception in 1994, the Foundation has contributed millions of dollars toward capital improvements, maintenance, staffing and programs for Garden of the Gods Park. Nancy retired from the Department in 1994. Over the past 25 years, she traveled the world with her dear friend Lyda Hill, and learned that she had a knack for painting watercolors. Despite her retirement, her long-standing devotion to and advocacy for the City's park system never wavered. While described as a truly gentle soul with a beautiful smile and a kind heart, she remained resolute in her commitment to communicating the invaluable role parks play in our community's economy and quality of life. In 1997, the City of Colorado Springs dedicated in her honor Nancy Lewis Park near Templeton Gap Road and Fillmore Street in the neighborhood where she raised her daughters. Never one to back away from a project, in 2011 Nancy and Deborah Odell co-authored a book about Colorado Springs' impressive park system, "The Parks of Colorado Springs - Building a Community, Preserving a Legacy." During Nancy's "retirement," many organizations benefited from her wisdom, her vision, and her leadership. Among them are the Penrose St. Francis Health Foundation and the Penrose St. Francis Hospital Board, Chamber of Commerce of Colorado Springs, Colorado Springs Symphony, Red Cross of Colorado Springs, Convention and Visitors Bureau, Rocky Mountain PBS, the University of Colorado Colorado Springs, and the Colorado Tourism Board. The list of honors and awards bestowed on Nancy during her six decades in the community she loved is long and impressive. A few notable mentions include receipt of the prestigious Athena Award in recognition of her contributions to the city and its residents, being named the "Unstoppable Woman of the Year" in 2014, and Mayor John Suthers' recognition of Nancy as the first-ever recipient of the Lifetime Spirit of the Springs Award in 2015. Also in 2015, Nancy was nationally recognized by the American Academy for Park and Recreation Administration which named her a 2015 Legend. In its recognition, the Academy stated, "The partnership she started between the Garden of the Gods Visitor and Nature Center, the Garden of the Gods Foundation and the City has become a model for how private and public entities can come together to manage an incredible natural resource." Nancy was a natural leader, an invaluable resource to our community, and an inspiring example to the many people who admired and loved her of true dedication to the common good. Nancy's remarkable life will be celebrated at a service at 2 p.m. Saturday, July 7 at First Lutheran Church, 1515 N. Cascade Ave. The family requests that those wishing to make donations in her honor send them to the Garden of the Gods Foundation, 1805 N. 30th Street, Colorado Springs, 80904. Mom, grandmother, and friend will be missed by all.

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Published by Denver Post on Jul. 3, 2018.

Memories and Condolences
for Nancy Lewis

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14 Entries

just small

July 20, 2018

may she rest with god and to lyda hill who will follow soon her friend

Lorrie Bensik-Russell

July 11, 2018

I had the privilege of working for Nancy when she was the Superintendent of Recreation for the City. She was a wonderful mentor, who left her thumbprint on my heart, as she always cared for you as a person and challenged you in many ways, professionally. I knew Jamie and Debbie and so my heart goes out to you with the loss of your mother. I know she impacted your lives in ways that will carry you through your lifetime! I thank God for the 10 years Nancy was a part of my life. I know her rewards in heaven will be great, Lorrie Bensik-Russell

nic small

July 9, 2018

may nancy R.I.P with the lord also for lyda hill to nancys friend

Marcia tewell

July 9, 2018

Nancy was one of the most supportive and inspirational people I met during my tenure with the city working with folks with disabilities. Her innovation and tenacity are unmet. She will be greatly missed. Many thanks dear Nancy for all you gave to this geographically beautiful city.

sue oham

July 9, 2018

read to pray for lyda hill also good friend of dear nancy may they both rest in peace amen

Rob Ross

July 5, 2018

Nancy was the most inspirational figure in my life, and I know I am not alone. She made everything seem possible if you just worked hard enough. Further, the obituary, as good as it is, does not come close to capturing the breadth and depth of her actual impact on Colorado Springs. She championed seniors (Second Horizon), the disabled (Otis Park), and the disadvantaged (Community Centers), as well as urban renewal (Acacia Park, Monument Park), and many other successful initiatives. She was a renaissance woman. The Garden of The Gods is her crown jewel, but she was uniquely responsible for so much more. I hope someone will write a more complete biography, which will document and celebrate her consequential life, so well lived. I believe most of my colleagues at Park and Recreation (many years ago) and in city government generally, as well as the business and non-profit community, will feel the same as I do. Bravo, Nancy!

July 5, 2018

My sympathy and prayers go to Nancy's family and friends. Although I didn't know her personally, as a City employee/retiree I know Nancy was very respected and loved by many. I'm particularly grateful to her for creating the City Senior Center.
Jan Watkins

joe labuz

July 5, 2018

may you rest in peace we pray for lyda hill to

Joan

July 4, 2018

Thank you for being such an advocate for our community Nancy. Though my mom is now gone, she so loved the Nancy Lewis park. We spent many hours walking around it and enjoying it.

Rick & Clydette Ingram

July 4, 2018

Debbie, so sorry for your loss, our prayers are with you and your family.

Barbara Yalich

July 3, 2018

I am deeply grateful to have known and worked so much with this lovely lady. What a blessing she was for all of us and for our community. Barbara

Vicki Butner

July 3, 2018

My warmest prayers and deepest sympathies for the family and friends of this wonderful woman. Bless you all and may she RIP.

L. C.

July 3, 2018

To the family of Nancy, please accept my deepest sympathy for your loss. It is so evident that Nancy was greatly loved by her family and friends. May you be comforted and strengthened by the words recorded at Isaiah 61:1,2. God promises to "bind up the broken-hearted and comfort all who mourn".