I was blessed to live across the street from Nancy, and to be in a book club with here. her magnificent mind and humor was most appreciated.
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I went to work for Nancy as a projectionist in late '76 or early '77. I'll be nailing down the date but this I know for sure: Very early in my 'professional career' we screened one memorable and serious moneymaker for her moviehouse: "The Cinema". That was the Best-Picture-Oscar-winning 'Annie Hall' which I projected at least thirty times. Nancy saw that Academy Award coming---I swear---and wangled Annie Hall's Olympia 'Second-Run' exclusive contract; we sold out every show for two or maybe even three weeks.
I had met Nancy a year or so before she hired me; I was a film student at The Evergreen State College and one of my fellow students was helping to get the projection booth wired and working, attaching all the seats, hanging the screen...he dragged me along to do some heavy lifting and introduced me to Nancy, an incredibly charming and well-read cineaste/exhibitor. Somehow a few months later, she asked me to write an article about her theater for TESC's 'Cooper Point Journal'. Far from a great article, as I recall, but a fascinating subject really helps a story. Nancy did not hate it.
I had to insist on paying for a seat, after that.
Nobody ever loved movies more than Nancy and no one before or after her time here in OlyWA did as much to bring the very best of the cinema to the capitol of Washington State. It's a TV Station-less little burg with a notoriously lightweight newspaper; a time-warp Pleasantville whose citizens never could view PBS without cable. Nevertheless, we have a lot of fun in this town and there's a lot of love. Nancy made an indelible mark here in Olympia.
And as I understand it, she made a similar impact in Bellingham. I can't imagine a world that has no Nancy Duncan in it. Luckily, that cannot be. All my love to everyone who loves Nancy---gam in OlyWA/USA
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What a force of nature! So appreciative of the legacy you’ve left behind, Nancy.
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I'm so sorry I won't be able to come out for the memorial. I think perhaps Nancy's quality that is most indelibly etched in my memory is her laugh. It was robust, full, freely given, and embodied her generosity of spirit. I can hear it in my head now. Sending love to all of you.
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