Memories of Nancy Falconer - by Jim Lewis
 
Memories of Nancy Falconer - by Jim Lewis
I met Nancy in 2005, just before going to India for an NID with PDG Anil Garg. I needed some D 5240 pins, and she asked me if I could drop by her house to pick them up. I said, “No problem”. When she met me at the door, I knew I liked her already!  No nonsense, efficient, direct - that was Nancy’s style. She asked me to call when I returned, to tell her about my trip. I thought that was nice of her, and discovered then that she was very interested in Rotary's fight to end Polio.
 
I did give her a call when I returned, and she asked me if I were going to the DA in Oxnard.  I told her I was, asked if she was going, and offered her a ride. (Her cars were notoriously dilapidated!) She said that would be great. During our car pool to Oxnard we got a chance to talk about our district and her job. I learned she had a lot on her plate. Besides the DA work she was doing, she was trying to round up the names of PE’s from some of the clubs and at the same time get the names of PENs. But she said it with her customary grin. I think she enjoyed her work. She also told me that PDG Jock McKenzie had hired her in 1995. Needless to say, that first introduction to Jock was a experience…and as the years went by, I understood why he hired her -  she was just as tough as he was! Jock knew what he was doing…and so did Nancy. She knew more about the people in Rotary and how Rotary functioned than almost anyone in the district. She was my ‘go-to’ person for umpteen unknown items when I wrote reports, sent out emails, or made phone calls for Rotary. I don’t think I was alone on this - 9 out of 10 times I spoke to her, she was on her computer for Rotarians!
Nancy worked with new DGs each year, and 70+ new Presidents each year - not an easy task - unless you were Nancy Falconer. Nancy was proud to donate to Rotary’s polio effort, so I always included her on my weekly report on Polio information. Her dedication to Rotary made me ask her if she was a Paul Harris Fellow. She informed me that PDG Doug Weiben had given her a PH a few years before. A few years ago, I asked her to be my guest at our PH night, but did not tell her I was going to give her a PH. My wife and I picked her up at her house, and knowing our preference for vodka, she presented us with two jars of martini olives!  When she received the PH Award, it was her turn to be surprised!  She was so grateful for the recognition, and quipped that she’d better join Rotary. I said, “Nancy you will be an outstanding Rotarian”, and, not long after that, she joined the E-Club of One World!
Over a span of 9 years, as her mobility decreased, I would pick her up and take her to DA’s, DC’s, and we became great friends. Many times on my way to RC meetings, we’d talk - she did like to talk - and we talked a lot! She loved Margarita’s and Pro football; of course the San Diego Chargers was her team, as she had family members who worked for their organization.  We discussed politics, family, friends - anything, really - she was like an older sister to me, and my heart is very sad, because I also lost a good friend. Her family lost a beloved woman of spirit. Rotary District 5240 has lost a true champion. We will miss her immensely.  But we have gained a reminder of the importance of friends, and learned how valuable a human being can be. I propose this toast (with or without Margherita’s or Martini’s!) - “Here’s to Nancy Falconer - a true lover of life!”