Nancy Corwith Hamill Winter

A Life Supremely Lived

Nancy Corwith Hamill Winter, a visionary conservationist, passionate equestrian, and student of the world, died peacefully on February 27, 2026, while spending time with her beloved horses and friends in Aiken, South Carolina. She was 83. Based in Woodstock, Vermont, Nancy was a proud native of Illinois, where her family had deep roots. Nancy leaves a legacy of kindness, generosity, and collaborative leadership in numerous organizations and in communities across the country.

Born on March 9, 1942, Nancy spent her childhood in Wayne, Illinois, exploring local fields and forests with her family and cadre of close friends involved in the Wayne-DuPage Pony Club. She attended the Masters School in Dobbs Ferry, Skidmore College, Bennett College, and George Washington University where she studied Asian language and cultures. In the early 1960's, Nancy taught English in post-war Japan, an experience that shaped her lifelong commitment to cross-cultural understanding. Nancy went on to a distinguished career as an equestrian competitor, coach, and breeder, coming within reach of the 1984 US Olympic Equestrian team. Nancy was also deeply invested in the emerging field of therapeutic riding as well as supporting young competitive riders and a next generation of elite equestrian eventers. One of her proudest accomplishments was owning and breeding the 2025 Connemara Sport Horse of the Year, No May Moon, trained and ridden by long-time equestrian partner Allison Springer.

Nancy traveled the world and embraced every journey with extraordinary preparation, an open heart, and an adventurous spirit that was infectious to all. She found humor and awe in her travels, making authentic connections and lifelong friendships with those she met along her way. Nancy held her most special places close to her heart: the remnant native prairies and burr oak savannas of Illinois, the rolling fields of Virginia in fall riding season, snowy peaks in the Rockies, Alps, and Himalayas, and her favorite trout streams. A tireless and conscientious traveler, she felt equally at home exploring exotic markets and visiting ancient sacred sites around the world.

Witnessing the loss of cherished natural areas and ongoing environmental degradation spurred a lifetime of activism and strategic action to conserve farmland and wildlife habitat. Nancy held significant leadership roles and was an active supporter of The Nature Conservancy (Illinois Chapter), Jo Daviess Conservation Foundation, Equine Land Conservation Resource, Teton Regional Land Trust, Bhutan Foundation, and other organizations. She applied a keen intellect, gave generously, and honed deep collaboration skills to advance environmental stewardship, equestrian causes, and democracy at the local and national levels. Nancy was an enthusiastic yet patient bridge-builder with allies dedicated to honoring and protecting nature. In her last decade, Nancy developed meaningful relationships with leaders of the Ho-Chunk Nation and other Native Americans who shared her land ethic.

Nothing brought Nancy greater joy than spending time with family, especially her children and grandchildren. "Nana" loved imparting her wisdom, humor, and lived experience, and she reveled in showing up for their special moments. Nancy treasured times when all her grandchildren were gathered under one roof celebrating a house full of laughter and commotion.

Nancy will be deeply missed by her loving family, legions of dear friends, and diverse collaborators whose lives she graced in so many ways. Survivors include Nancy's two children: Ethan Hamill (Anne) Winter, of Saratoga Springs, New York, and Sylvia Corwith Winter (Aaron) Baggish of Woodstock, Vermont, and Buchillon, Switzerland; brother Jonathan Corwith (Nancy) Hamill, of Barrington, Illinois; sister Elizabeth "Betsy" Corwith (James) Bramsen, of Barrington, Illinois; six adoring grandchildren: Owen, Savannah and Kendall Winter, and Izzabella, Emmitt and Flynn Baggish; along with numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and god-children with whom she maintained loving connections throughout her life. She is also survived by her former husband, Wallace Winter of Grayslake, Illinois. Nancy was preceded in death by her parents, Corwith "Corky" Hamill and Joan Birnie Smith Hamill of Wayne, Illinois.

Nancy was always and to the end exactly what she believed the world needed more of: a compassionate ally who made herself present, asked hard questions, shared generously, and trusted that the land and the people who loved it would carry the work forward. She was a special flower and her considerable contributions will stand for generations to come.

A celebration of Nancy's life is planned in the Chicago area in June for family, friends, and partners who wish to join in remembrance.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Jo Daviess Conservation Foundation (JDCF), 126 N Main St, Elizabeth, IL 61028, (815) 858-9100, and to The Bhutan Foundation, 1050 Connecticut Ave NW #66013, Washington, DC 20036, (202) 609-7363.

Please email remember-nancy@winterworks.org for information. Nancy Corwith Hamill Winter