- Date Of Birth: December 27, 1924
- Date Of Death: June 3, 2021
- State: Colorado
Nancy Petry died peacefully at her home in Cherry Hills Village at the age of 96. Nancy was born in Providence, RI, to Joseph G. Doran and Anna Shea Doran. The proud matriarch of the extended Harrington family, “Mamie” as she was affectionally referred, was deeply loved and admired by many.
Nancy attended the Academy of Sacred Heart Elmhurst, and then graduated from Manhattanville College in Manhattan, NY. She married her college roommate’s brother, Martin J. Harrington, and moved to Denver in 1947. Martin and Nancy had 4 children: Martin, Nondi, Paul and Tim.
In 1968, Nancy joined the staff of the Institute for International Education (IIE). She became the Director of the Rocky Mountain Regional Office before moving to New York City as IIE’s Director of Public Affairs. Nancy married Nick Petry in December 1978 and moved back to Colorado. They happily resided in Cherry Hills Village, CO, Saratoga, WY, and Indian Wells, CA. Nancy and Nick had a fairy tale marriage until his death in 1999.
Nancy was an ardent community volunteer and served on myriad Boards and non-profit committees, including the National Western Stock Show Association Board of Trustees, Citizen of the West Dinner Committee, the Buffalo Bill Historical Center Board of Trustees and Whitney Museum Advisory Board, World Denver Board of Advisors, the Junior League of Denver and Junior League Foundation Board, and the Denver Organizing Committee for the 1976 Olympics. She also supported the Denver Public Library Adult Education Council, the Denver Art Museum, and the Denver Debutante Ball.
She was a very active member of the Denver Country Club, Eldorado Country Club, Old Baldy Club, Cherry Hills Country Club and Castle Pines Golf Club.
Nancy had an energetic “larger-than-life” presence and will be deeply missed by her sister Sally Wilson of Bristol, RI, her children Martin Harrington (Julie) Denver, CO, Nondi Harrington, Sheridan, MT, Paul Harrington (Cheryl Chesson) Granby, CO, and Tim Harrington (Melinda), Denver, CO, grandchildren Annie Harrington (Brad Weinig), Thomas Harrington (Lauren), Will Phelps, Hilary Dunsmoor (Zack) and Emma Kane (Eddie), and 4 great grandchildren, Pete and Connor Weinig, Graham Harrington, and McKenna Kane. She is also lovingly remembered by her nieces and nephews George Wilson, Joseph Wilson, Andrew Wilson (Karen), David Wilson and Sarah Wilson. Nancy is also survived by Nick Petry’s daughters Patty Lufkin and Suzie Woodard, grandchildren, Lindsay Shinall (Zak), Nick Lufkin (Anne), Molly Jourde (John), and Becky Gutrich (Dan), and 11 great-grandchildren.
