Adventurer and writer extraordinaire passes away
Published July 1, 2024 at 6:00 a.m.| Updated July 1, 2024 at 11:32 a.m.
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- Courtesy
- Nancy Stead
NancyStead, 83, of Wake Robin, Shelburne / Stowe, Vt., left us on June 21,2024, leaving behind a legacy of love, adventure and advocacy.
Bornon September 7, 1940, to Gilbert and Betty Wolfe in Schenectady,N.Y., Nancy was destined for greatness from the start. Aftergraduating from Concord Academy, she earned a history of art degreefrom Smith College in 1962. She then embarked on her first job atPolaroid in Boston, where she was one of only three employees whoknew the entire formula for Polaroid’s color film.
Ona fateful errand to Stowe, Nancy met Dick Carlson, decided to foregoPolaroid’s offer to pay for a PhD, married Dick and had twowonderful children, Carl (Skip) Carlson and Julia Carlson Aiken. Shethrived on hosting family gatherings, teaching her children to skiand gathering friends for a float on her pond or co*cktails on thepatio.
Nancyembraced life in Stowe. She was an active member of the StowePlanning Commission and volunteered for various organizations,including Planned Parenthood. As one of the founders of Carlson RealEstate, Nancy welcomed and supported new members of the real estatecommunity and generously shared her knowledge and expertise over a30-year career. Later, she represented the Mt. Mansfield Companyduring their expansion, embodying professionalism in every aspect ofher business. From the earliest Ski Bum races in Stowe, her team,SLIDE, (Stowe Ladies International Downhill Experts, later shortenedto SLID) was the catalyst for many of Nancy’s adventures withlifelong friends. The group became truly international, sailing for aweek in the Grenadines and beta testing a new zip line in St. Lucia.Nancy’s negotiating skills earned them a free ride in exchange foran article!
Inthe 1990s, Nancy’s life took another exciting turn when she met hersecond husband, Jim Stead, in Stowe. Jim left for Vanuatu and thePeace Corps in 1991. Missing Nancy, he proposed via FAX (due to thescarcity of phones), and she joined him shortly thereafter. They weremarried in May 1992 by the Reverend Hajuju on the island of Erakor,surrounded by family. While Jim worked for the Peace Corps and USAID,Nancy pursued a degree in Melanesian culture, managed a project insmall business development and passionately advocated for women’srights.
Nancyand Jim returned to Stowe in 1995, where they built a new house. Theycontinued to travel the world, and she particularly enjoyed hersummers playing tennis at the Stowe Tennis Club, swimming wherevershe found a cool body of water, and kayaking and cruising on LakeChamplain in their Albin 27 trawler.
Nancywas brilliant, passionate and adventurous and wrote travel profilesfor the StoweReporter,SailMagazineand the travel sections of numerous national newspapers. Thetownspeople enjoyed her “gossip” column, which she revived fromearlier years when it was known as “Over the Fence.” Nancy’sversion was much more colorful, especially when she scolded those whohad Christmas wreaths still hanging in March. As she stated: “Youknow who you are.” Everyone quickly removed their wreaths.
Nancymoved to Wake Robin with Jim in 2018, where she continued her passionfor travel, writing and her many athletic endeavors. Her heart neverleft Stowe, and she visited often.
Nancywas predeceased by her son, Carl (Skip); her sister, CarolineKostanecki; her brother-in-law, Bruce Biddle; and her parents, Bettyand Gilbert Wolfe. She is survived by her husband, Jim; daughter,Julia, and her husband, Andy Aiken, and their daughter, Abby; hergrandson, Franklin Jin; her granddaughter, Hanna Carlson; her sister,Betsy Biddle; and Jim’s daughters: Louisa Zai-Ravaris and herhusband, Paul Ravaris, and Katy and her husband, Jason Watkins; andmany nieces and nephews.
TheStead family sends a special thank you to the caring staff on theJuniper wing of Wake Robin, Bayada Hospice and dear family andfriends.
Acelebration of Nancy’s life will be held on July 11, from 2-4 p.m.,at the Green Mountain Inn. All are welcome to come and share theirstories. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made toPlanned Parenthoodor Friends of Green River Reservoir.
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