Nancy Calhoun Cain, 73, of Fairhope and Santa Fe, N.M., passed at her home on May 29, 2014.
She is survived by her devoted and loving husband, Kenneth C. Cain; her brothers, Dr. Charles (Chuck) Calhoun of Fairhope and Thomas Borden Calhoun and his wife, Nancy, of Sonoita, Ariz.; her niece, Lynn Calhoun Long and her husband, Randy, of Ellijay, Ga.; her nephew, David Lowell Calhoun and his wife, Michelle, of Palm Beach, Fla.; her grandnephews, Matthew Daniel Long and Michael Cain Calhoun; her grandniece, Madison Rene Calhoun; former daughters-in-law, JoAnn Kyser Wettlaufer and Rebel Brown Calhoun; numerous loving other family members, as well as numerous friends throughout her life.
She was predeceased by her parents, Thomas Borden Calhoun and Jean Lowell Calhoun; her niece, Elaine Lowell Calhoun; and her in-laws, Kenneth R. Cain and Dorothy Beiser Cain.
One of those people who was universally beloved, Nancy attracted friends with her personality, her kindness and her sincere concern for others.
Nancy was born in Chicago and later moved at an early age to Queens, N.Y. and moved to Fairhope at age 11.
Her father loved Fairhope from his work here and knew that the family would have the perfect quality of life in Fairhope.
Nancy and Ken first met as students at the Organic School, and began a lifelong romance that included 53 years of marriage.
She had many enthusiasms which the two of them shared, from their beloved pets to books, travel, the arts and fine food. Nancy valued her friendships above them all.
Nancy had a lovably open mind, which prompted her to explore everything in life she found interesting. It was a way of educating herself, on her own terms.
Her curiosity took her to the pyramids of Egypt, on photo safaris in Africa, to English villages, to London, Paris and other places around the globe.
Nancy and Ken traveled to many unknown spots in the U.S. as well in their RV. They drove to most of the classical music festivals in the country.
She read omnivorously, and was in more than one book club while reading whatever struck her fancy on her own.
Nancy was instrumental in the founding of the Baldwin County Humane Society, and helped provide the first animal shelter in the county.
Her love of the arts led to support of the Santa Fe Chamber Music Festival, the Mobile Symphony Orchestra and other classical music organizations in Fairhope, Mobile and Santa Fe.
Nancy was exceptional at conversation because she was so interested in other people.
Many came to her with their troubles and she was never less than sympathetic and understanding with anyone, no matter how great or trivial the crisis.
She enjoyed nothing more than a good laugh and a good talk with a seasoned friend or a new acquaintance.
She was determined to live as good a life as humanly possible. And, until the final hospitalization was ended by an illness as a result of her latest trip to Africa, Nancy passed at home in Fairhope with her loving husband and brother Chuck at her side.
We will forever treasure her transcendent joy.
A memorial celebrating the life of Nancy Calhoun Cain will be held on Monday, June 16, 2014, at 10:30 a.m., in the Grand Ballroom of the Grand Hotel Point Clear.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Nancy’s memory to The Haven, 559 S. Section St., Fairhope, AL 36532, a provider shelter and adoption for animals, the Santa Fe County Animal Shelter, 100 Caja Del Rio Road, Santa Fe, NM 87507, or the Tanzanian Children's Fund, 2 Atlantic Ave., 4th Floor c/o Next Mile Project, Boston, MA 02110.
