Nancy Walker Anderson

1937 - 2024

Nancy Walker Anderson

June 24, 1937 - June 5, 2024

Durham, North Carolina - Nancy Walker Anderson died on June 5, 2024 at 86 years of age - a beloved wife, mother and grandmother. She led in her church and community extending her gifts of mercy, care and hospitality. She showed up and worked hard for family and friends in sickness and in celebration.

She was especially delighted in bouncing a baby on her lap and having a calendar punctuated with parties, meetings and events largely orchestrated by her.

Nancy was born on June 24, 1937 to Robert Eldridge Walker and Hazel Campbell Walker in New York City growing up in Port Washington, New York with her younger brother, Bob. She came to Duke University graduating from the School of Nursing with a BSN in 1959 and Masters in Nursing in 1965.

Nancy met and married Durham native, William Banks Anderson, Jr. in 1960. They made their home in Durham raising their three children, then enjoying grandchildren and great grandchildren over the last 63 years.

The Andersons shared their home as a place to celebrate large holiday and birthday gatherings as well as Duke student, faculty and alumni events, bible studies, book clubs and committee meetings of all sorts. From pound cake and gingerbread men to Julia Child inspired meals, all were welcome and well fed.

Nancy, hostess extraordinaire, enveloped guests into the family with ease. Friends, friends of friends and strangers were hosted and often housed. The door was open and if it wasn't they were given a key.

While practicing nursing at Duke University Hospital throughout the years, Nancy also worked for racial equality, environmental responsibility and urban land use as a volunteer. She led community development projects and attended City Council meetings often with a child in tow to advocate for these causes. Passionate, organized and energetic, she served in leadership roles at St. Stephen's Church, The Junior League of Durham and Orange County, The Tourist Club, The Chamber Orchestra of

the Triangle, N.C. Episcopal Diocesan Committees and Penick Village in Southern Pines. She got stuff done in an efficient yet loving manner. She was unapologetically opinionated and feisty.

Nancy and Banks served together in leadership roles with national ophthalmology societies taking them to professional meetings all over the globe where they developed a beloved circle of friends and colleagues. In addition to this work travel, they with their grandchildren took special delight in a trip to celebrate each child's 8th birthday to their destination of choice.

The family is grateful for the nurses and staff at The Forest at Duke, Charles House and the Duke Center for Living who helped Nancy live well with dementia.

Nancy is preceded in death by her parents and granddaughter, Ann Walker Knechtle, brother-in-law, E. Everett Anderson and sister-in-law, Linda K. Walker.

She is survived by her husband of 63 years, William Banks Anderson, Jr, and her brother, Robert Walker of Hendersonville, brother in law, Charles (Janie) and cousin, Holt Anderson (Susan) of Durham.

Her children: Mary Banks A. Knechtle (Stuart) of Hillsborough; Mark E. Anderson (Mary Eileen) of Durham; and Elizabeth A. Strand (Jon) of Vienna, Virginia.

Her grandchildren: William Knechtle (Juliana); David Knechtle (Stephanie); Peter Knechtle (Viviana); Margaret Anderson (Ryan Wichtowski); Banks Anderson III (Ana); Lily Anderson, Jack Anderson, Elizabeth Strand, Sarah Strand and Mark Strand. Her great grandchildren: Hazel, Emelia, Margaret, Evelyn, Ben, William, Jay and Walker.

Her nieces and nephews: Kristin A. Rich (Sean), Reid Anderson, Courtney J. Caraganis (Kai), Everett T. Anderson (Michelle), Riley (Jan) and Robert Walker.

The Funeral Service will be held at St. Stephen's Church, 82 Kimberly Drive, Durham on June 28 at 11:00 and a private Burial Service at Cross Roads Presbyterian Church, 3302 NC-119, Mebane, NC.

Gifts in Memory of Nancy Anderson to Duke University School of Nursing or St. Stephen's Church are welcome.