Nancy Fox Obituary

My condolences to Nancy Fox´s family. I worked closely with Nancy for many years while I was Director of International Agricultural Programs (IAP) in the UW-Madison College of Agricultural and Life Sciences.
Nancy was at the heart of the International Agricultural Programs family. Without her, we might not have felt so much like a family as we did. And that family feeling is something I cherish. It makes me look back on those years and realize how lucky I was to be part of the IAP family that Nancy helped create and nurture.
When we put together proposals or letters of interest, Nancy´s skills came to the fore so that we were able to put our best foot forward. When we sent Nancy off to Mexico City to deliver a proposal, I held my breath until she arrived back safely. Nancy helped me many times in many ways. I clearly remember one key message that she repeated more than once : "Do you really want to say that?" as she read a message I had drafted when I was a "little" upset with someone in some other office. In the days before email, she was a critical safety step and check for me. Nancy´s good relationships with staff at key offices (Dean´s, Business, Academic Affairs, Extension, various departments) smoothed the way for us
Nancy seemed to keep tabs on everyone. Birthday celebrations were part of that. As were other celebrations - in the office and at local lunch spots. (Pasquals and then Michaels across the street for dessert were my favorites.) Was Nancy behind all that black crepe paper and those signs that said, "Guess who is 50?" [Or 60? Or?] She brought our student workers into the family, and of course young people are always a good boost. Nancy was a key to making IAP a happy place for me and others.
On a more personal level, I appreciated how Nancy warmly welcomed my granddaughter, who was in preschool next door at the Home Economics School; and she welcomed those preschoolers when they came around for Trick or Treat. I suspect Nancy had a hand in those poinsettias Mimi and I received from IAP at Christmas time.
It is sad that she is gone. Nancy made a big, positive difference.

What an incredible friend Nancy was to all of us in the International Agriculture Programs office. I treasure my memories of her!