Nancy Johanna Fassett

Nancy Fassett, who died on September 30 at the age of 92, was the cat’s pajamas!

She was multi-talented—an ardent reader, a lover of opera, an avid and delighted traveler, a renowned poet and songwriter in family circles, an expert on proper etiquette, a connoisseur of gin martinis, and a genius at “Jeopardy”. She was also a talented teacher and librarian, a devoted member of her church, a loving sister and aunt, and an especially loyal friend.

She may have looked like an angel, but she was a daredevil—driving across the Golden Gate Bridge before she had a driver’s license to meet a date in San Francisco, hot air ballooning around the countryside in the early morning, stopping off in Saigon at the height of the Vietnam war while on a tour of Asia, climbing to the top of every tourist sight to absorb the view, and taking on all comers at the black jack table.

Nancy was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, in 1931, the daughter of Lowell Glenn Fassett and Irene Tollen Fassett. She graduated from Washburn High School and the University of Minnesota, in Minneapolis. After studying at the University of Oslo, Catholic University and the University of Maryland, she received a master’s degree in library science.

She began teaching in Oakland, California, and Minneapolis, but for most of her career, Nancy worked in the Montgomery County School system, first as a teacher and then as a librarian and media specialist. She was also a licensed real estate agent in Maryland and the District of Columbia.

Nancy served on the Altar Guild and the Vestry at Saint Dunstan’s Episcopal Church and on the Women’s Board of the Cathedral Choral Society. She also volunteered with the National Symphony.

Dubbed by the Washington Post as one of the local Golden Girls, Nancy is survived by her fellow Golden Girls, longtime friends and housemates Margaret Sugg and Barbara Fletcher. She is also survived by her sister Diane “Missy” Sheldon (Chuck) and brothers, John Fassett (Ruth) and Glenn Fassett. Her beloved nieces and nephews include Gwendolyn “Wendy” Fassett (Kevin), Karen Fassett-Carmen, John Fassett (Erin), Elizabeth “Buffy” Ross (Jeff), Glenn Fassett (Alissa), Mike Sheldon (Nancy), and John Sheldon (Jill).

Nancy’s family is grateful for the loving care that Nancy received from her helpers Bernadette Ezeanya, Mary Hillary, Bertha Mansaray, Hanata Muse, and Paula Reid.

A Memorial Service will be held on November 7, 2024, at 11 a.m. at Saint Dunstan’s Episcopal Church, 5450 Massachusetts Avenue, Bethesda, Maryland. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Saint Dunstan’s Episcopal Church (stdunstansbethesda.org).