Nancy H. Dawson

1933 - 2025

Nancy H. Dawson

March 22, 1933 - September 18, 2025

Nancy Josephine (Hemphill) Dawson, 92, passed away on September 18, 2025 in Lincoln, Neb., where she was born and resided most of her life. Nancy was the first-born child of Benjamin Hemphill II and Arlene (Logback) Hemphill on March 22, 1933.

She attended Prescott Elementary, Irving Junior High, and graduated from Lincoln High School in 1951. As a student at the University of Nebraska, she studied clothing, textiles and fashion merchandising and pursued membership with multiple campus societies and organizations, including Pi Beta Phi. Nancy graduated with a B.S. degree in Home Economics and a minor in English in 1955.

After graduation Nancy was employed as a stewardess by United Airlines, flying out of Newark, N.J., and residing in Manhattan, N.Y. Nancy was engaged to Robert (Bob) Charles Dawson, whom she had met while an undergraduate, on January 31, 1955, and they were married in Lincoln, Neb., on June 10, 1956.

The couple subsequently moved to Watertown, N.Y., where Bob accepted a position with Sargent, Webster, Crenshaw and Folly Architects, and Nancy was employed by a local bank. Son James arrived in October 1959 to the proud parents. An opportunity with the same firm then took Bob and his family to San Juan, Puerto Rico, where daughter Carol arrived in July 1961.

The draw of family and desire for a more traditional education for their children solidified the Dawsons' return to Lincoln, where Bob joined the architectural firm that was founded by Nancy's father and became Hemphill, Vierk & Dawson. Son John was welcomed in December 1968, adding much joy to what had become another Dawson family home on S. 31st Street.

Nancy joined her husband in teaching their three children the value of community involvement. Her volunteer service included the Junior League of Lincoln, Meals on Wheels, the Pi Beta Phi Lincoln Alumna Club and the Girl Scouts. Nancy was a long-time member of Westminster Presbyterian Church, where she served as deacon, elder and member of the board of ushers. Nancy served as a Trustee and member of the Executive Committee of the Nebraska Art Association and engaged her family in programs assisting foreign students of the University.

Nancy volunteered as a docent at Sheldon Museum of Art for 18 years prior to joining the museum staff as the Sheldon Statewide Community Programs Coordinator from 1992 until 2002, when she resumed her service as a docent for many more years. She was a recipient of the Mayor's Art Award from the Lincoln Arts Council in 2012. She was a voracious reader and an accomplished cook who enjoyed entertaining and keeping up with the lives of beloved children, grandchildren, sisters-in-law, cousins, nieces, nephews, and many friends.

Nancy is survived by children, James (Michelle Basil), Carol, and John (Beth) Dawson, and grandchildren, William, Matthew, Carter, and Dillon Dawson and Clare Caraghar, and sisters-in-law, Elly Dawson and Sharon Hemphill. She was preceded in death by husband, Robert; brothers, Paul (Jo Ellen) and Frank Hemphill; brother-in-law, Richard Dawson, and son-in-law, Kerry Caraghar.

Celebration of life will be held on October 3, 2025 at 1 p.m., Westminster Presbyterian Church, 2110 Sheridan Blvd, Lincoln, NE 68502 with reception to follow. In lieu of flowers, memorials would be welcomed by the family to the Foundation for Lincoln City Libraries, 136 S. 14th St., Lincoln, NE 68508; Nebraska Public Media, 1800 N. 33rd St, Lincoln, NE 68503; and Sheldon Art Association, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, P.O. Box 880300, Lincoln, NE 68588 in support of the Sheldon Statewide Exhibition.

Condolences online at www.bmlfh.com.