All of us at Bloom were shocked and saddened to learn of the passing of Nancy Hamilton, wife of Lee Hamilton, the retired representative from Indiana’s 9th District who had served in Congress for 30 years.
Nancy Hamilton, 82, died as the result of a freak accident on Saturday, August 11. She had taken her pet to the veterinarian and as she walked behind the car it rolled backward, striking her.
Just two days prior to the accident, the Hamiltons had helped Bloom Magazine celebrate its 6th anniversary at a party in the Tudor Room at the Indiana Memorial Union.
Nancy is pictured at the event with her husband Lee; Laurie Burns McRobbie, first lady of Indiana University; and Laurie’s daughter Carol Gray.
The Hamiltons were featured in the April/May 2011 issue of Bloom Magazine. In the photos in the gallery below taken at their Bloomington home, Nancy is pictured with Lee and their dog Bertha, and with portraits that she had painted of their pets.
The Hamiltons have three children—Tracy, Douglas, and Deborah—and five grandchildren. Bloomington, the state of Indiana, and the entire country mourn the passing of a wonderful woman.
—the editor
Oh, what a tragic story. A great loss for this community, as they had returned to our area not that long ago. A lovely family, lovely woman. Our hearts and prayers go out to the Hamiltons.
Congressman Lee Hamilton and his wife, Nancy have been our next door neighbors since their move to Bloomington. I saw Nancy almost every day as she walked her beloved Bertha (the most polite and gentle dog I’ve ever known). We often found ourselves deep in conversation, sharing the lawn space between our homes, with Bertha resting patiently beside her. Gracious and wise, she had an honest, refreshing way of talking and I respected her greatly.
Nancy Hamilton was a wonderful neighbor and friend and I shall miss her every day.
I lived across the street from the Hamiltons growing up in Alexandria Va. We bonded over many pets throughout the years. Their golden retriever Tawney and I were particularly close. I cannot count the number of times we took walks with the dogs and talked in her front yard with first Heidi,Tawney, then Buffy and cats Butchie and Leo. I credit her with helping to encourage my love of animals. It has been years since I lived in my parents home in Alexandria, but many of my fondest memories growing up there involve her. My only comfort in this terrible, tragic senseless accident is that she died doing what she loved, nurturing and caring for a beloved pet. My heart goes out to her husband Lee and their children and grandchildren.