Nancy Douglas

A graduate of Newburgh High School in 1959, Nancy went on to study at a teaching college in Massachusetts and at Notre Dame University where she achieved her Chamber of Commerce accreditation. She began work in the newspaper industry at the South Middlesex News in Framingham, Massachusetts. After relocating to Michigan in 1973, she worked at the Menominee Herald Leader. In 1984, Nancy began a distinguished career as Director of the Menominee Chamber of Commerce. During this time and after, she created and served as the Chair of the Menominee Waterfront Festival Committee for 34 years. She retired from the Chamber after 26 years and began as the Executive Director of the foundation at Bay Area Medical Center in Marinette, Wisconsin, where she worked for 10 years. Not satisfied that her contributions to the community were finished, Nancy then created Douglas Consulting LLC and started the Menominee Business Development Corporation where she served as Director, finally retiring last year at the age of 81. Of course, she wasn’t quite done as she next was a key member of the committee for the commissioning of the USS Marinette of which she was extremely proud. She was currently working with Fincantieri Marinette Marine and the US Army Corps of Engineers on the Menominee Harbor Deepening Project.

Over the years, Nancy was recognized many times for her achievements. In 1988, she was given the Northern Michigan University President’s Award for Distinguished Citizenship. In 1993, she was appointed by then Governor Engler to the K.I. Sawyer AFB Conversion Authority. In 1995, she helped obtain the largest ever Michigan state award at the time ($250 million) to create the Great Lakes Pulp and Fibre Company (now Resolute Forest Products). Another significant project she completed was the renovation of the historic buildings on 1st Street in Menominee, known as Lloyd House I and II. Nancy was appointed by Governor Engler to the state’s Department of Natural Resources Commission where she served from 1996-2002. She was given the City of Menominee Community Service Award three times: in 2001, 2010 and 2018. Nancy was also the Chamber of Commerce Person of the Year in both 1984 and 2018.

Outside of her working life, Nancy was devoted to her family, her church and her large circle of close friends. She enjoyed cooking, hosting family and friends for delicious food-filled gatherings at her home throughout the year. Gardening was a particular passion of hers as she found much joy in transforming her landscapes into flower and vegetable filled oasis. Nancy travelled in both the US and in Europe. She also filled her life with music. She had an extensive and extremely varied collection of music at home and attended many concerts throughout her life. She was involved with the Concerts in the Park in Menominee for many years and enjoyed her time organizing many Wild Rice Concerts. Church life was integral to her as well. She was a member of Grace Episcopal Church in Menominee and served on its Ministry Support Team.

Nancy is survived by her daughters, Marjorie (Philip) Dixon and Millicent Douglas; daughter-in-law, Deanna (Richard) Swenson; her grandchildren, Merissa Swenson, Jessica (Andrew) Stines, Joshua (Ashlyn) Swenson, and Terilynn Donley; and her great-grandchildren, Alexander Douglas Rupert, Crosby Swenson, Colby Swenson, and Parker Stines. She also is survived by special grand-pets Champ, Charlotte and Walter.

A Celebration of Nancy’s Life will be held at Riverside Country Club, 3459 14th Avenue, Menominee, Michigan, from 1 to 4 p.m., on Saturday, August 24th. A special program will take place during the celebration at 2:30 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, it was Nancy’s wish to support the building of the Healing Garden at the Cancer Care Center at Aurora Bay Care Medical Center in Marinette, Wisconsin. It is a project she was involved with from the beginning that was close to her heart. Should you feel so inclined, donations can be sent to Aurora Bay Care Healing Garden, http://donate.aahgiving.org/goto/Nancy_Douglas_Memorial. Checks can be made to Aurora Medical Center – Bay Area Healing Garden with a note that it’s in memory of Nancy Douglas.

Cadieu Funeral Home is assisting the Douglas family with arrangements.