Low

Nancy Otto Low

Nancy Otto Low of Chevy Chase, MD passed suddenly of a heart condition on July 5, 2022. Born March 26, 1941 in Brooklyn, NY, a graduate of the NY School of Music and Art, and an alumna of Pembroke College, Brown University [Class of 1963], Nancy moved to the Washington, DC area in 1972.

After college Nancy joined the Diplomatic Corps of the Foreign Service with posts in Buenos Aires and Manila. Returning to New York, she joined the staff of Governor Nelson Rockefeller as a seminal member of the Women's Unit, and was an integral part of the founding of the Women's Political Caucus where she worked closely with Gloria Steinhem, Betty Friedan, Bella Abzug, and others. In 1972 she was appointed as the Director of Public Information at the Equal Opportunity Employment Commission. She was then asked by Joseph Califano to be the Director of Public Affairs for the Office of Civil Rights at HEW. From government service to the private sector, Nancy founded Nancy Low + Associates, a marketing and communications firm on the leading edge of intangibles marketing and market research. Named Ernst & Young's "Entrepreneur of the Year" and being named twice to Maryland's Top 100 Women, Low retired in 2002.

Low's commitment to giving back in her community, a pillar of her Christian faith, was evidenced by her service to the boards of numerous local, national, and international organizations. Among these are BioLogos, The Smithsonian Women's Committee, Arena Stage and the National Center of Leadership. She remained and active/lifetime member of the Blue Hill Troupe (NYC), The Washington Savoyards (WDC), and Community Bible Study both in DC and Arizona.

Always a creative spirit, Low followed her artistic muse throughout her life, becoming a widely exhibited mosaic artist of the "pique assiette" technique. Creating beauty out of brokenness energized her to craft commissioned works turning antique fine china and other family heirlooms into unique and functional memoryware. Her memoir, "MOSAIC or, My Coffee was Always Cold" was published by American Journeys in 2012.

Nancy is survived by her husband David; her son John; his daughters Lucy (19) and Hannah (17); her daughter Amanda; and son-in-law Peter Trautmann; and their boys Noah (12), Luke (11) and Parker (8).

A CaringBridge site has been created in her name where arrangements will be posted.

Service will be held 11 a.m., Saturday July 23, at National Presbyterian Church in Washington, DC.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Washington Post on Jul. 17, 2022.

Memories and Condolences
for Nancy Low

5 Entries

Joan Hartman Moore

August 22, 2022

It was exciting to be a part of Nancy Low + Associates in the early days of struggle and exhilarating success. Nancy was a singular woman of many talents. I´m remembering the years I spent working with her and for her with such pride and emotion.

David, to you, John, Amanda and your extended family, my deepest sympathies. May her irrepressible spirit be with you always.

Susan Lopez-Payan

July 25, 2022

My sincere condolences go out to your family in this time of loss of your wife, mother, and grandmother. I was lucky to have worked at Low + Associates with wonderful people and had many opportunities to learn and grow. Rest in Peace, Nancy.

Claude Alexander

July 21, 2022

Nancy was a true gift to anyone who had the pleasure of knowing and serving with her. Her combination of wit, wisdom, curiosity, generosity of spirit, and intellect, undergirded by a depth of discipleship made a lasting impact upon individuals and institutions. I am grateful for her investment in me as a friend and colleague.
I pray God´s comfort for the family in the assurance that she has the reality of that for which we yet hope.

Peter S Jackson

July 19, 2022

Very sorry for your loss. She was an amazing person.

Marian le Grelle

July 18, 2022

I´m with you in prayer at this sad time. Sending love and gratitude for her life. God bless your family.

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