In Memory of Nancy Meltzer

With sadness in our hearts, we wish to let you know that our dear friend and co-worker, Nancy Meltzer, passed away Wednesday morning after a long battle with cancer.

Nancy was the Coordinator for The Arc’s Senior Family Caregiver Support Project.  She first identified the need for this project in 1996, and coordinated it from its inception.  As a senior parent of an adult son with a developmental disability, she intimately understood the experiences of parents and caregivers.

Nancy Meltzer and other family members were founders of the Seattle Family Network.  They initiated a project showcasing the stories of Seattle parents in the 1950’s and sixties who refused to institutionalize their children with developmental disabilities, but raised them at home and advocated successfully for social and political change. With a grant from the City of Seattle, they published Becoming Citizens, Family Life and the Politics of Disability. 

Nancy did ground breaking work in supporting parents and siblings over the age of 60 who were caring for an adult child or sibling with a developmental disability.  Throughout the decades of her career Nancy never waivered in her vision and commitment to the community.  She worked passionately and tirelessly to make life better for hundreds of families across the State of Washington.  She gave them knowledge, support and hope.  She shared her heart.

 Nancy was presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award at The Arc’s Living Our Legacy luncheon in May.  She was so full of life, joy and beauty at that moment.  Last weekend, The Arc of Washington State also honored Nancy with a Lifetime Achievement Award.

 Nancy will be deeply missed but her legacy will live on in all of us.

The Seattle Times featured article commemerating the life of Nancy Meltzer.  Click here to read.

 At the request of Nancy’s family, gifts may be made in memory of Nancy to The Arc of King County for the Senior Family Caregiver Support Project.