Nancy Streeter passed away in the early morning of August 26th. She carved beautiful animals and figures by hand. You may remember she set up on the OTMST with Eric Johnson and his wife, Cathy, at their farm and forge.
I asked Eric and Cathy to share some words about Nancy. Eric wanted us to know they shared an occupation together. They worked as rangers for the National Park Service. They had a camaraderie with their green and gray uniforms, Smokey the Bear hats and pine cone leather belts. Together they had a special relationship with visitors.
“…she carved wood and I forged iron.
I thought we made a good team.” Eric wrote.
This November Eric “may leave the rocking chair empty (by the old wood stove), with a cushion and some wood shavings on it. And like I said (before), Sophie the old calico cat may be asleep on it, missing her wood-carving buddy as much as I will. It’s hard to tell old friends goodbye, but I press on in faith and hope…and remember them when I ring my anvil.”
Cathy Johnson met Nancy years ago at the Department of Interior training. She says she is “very saddened by the loss of Nancy. The tour will not be the same without her.”
When we moved to Florida and left behind our warm circle of friends, Nancy was one of those I missed the most. Dinner with "the boys", fireballs after studio tour, pumpkin golf, lunch at the club, poker night, rafting at Deep Creek to name a few that sustained me in the physical distance. But her constant bravery, fearless determination, laughter and warm generous heart are the memories of her that fill the hole my heart her passing has lefft and will sustain me in my grief. Goodbye dear friend.