Nancy Jane Reid

Nancy Jane Reid passed away peacefully and comfortably on September 25, 2015 with her close family at her side. Nancy Jane was born August 8, 1951 in Fort Worth, Texas, and went to college at the University of Texas in Austin where she majored in photojournalism. She was drawn to the desert of Big Bend, Texas where she thrived on hard light and deep canyons. She lived in the ghost town of Terlingua and guided Rio Grande river trips with Far Flung Adventures. At the Chihuahuan Desert Research Institute in Alpine, Texas she joined up with her future husband, Pete. Together they traveled in Mexico, camping at the base of 500-foot cliffs studying and photographing Maroon-fronted Parrots and Peregrine Falcons. Nancy Jane moved with Pete to Pocatello, Idaho where he went to graduate school while she ran rivers and explored outer and inner worlds with her cameras and darkroom. They married in 1982 and their son, Alex, was born in 1986. In 1987 they moved to Newport, far from the crisp light and desert vistas that she loved. Nevertheless, Nancy Jane jumped right in and became an integral member of our community, touching many lives with her passionate energy. She was deeply involved in local theater as actor (Truvy in Steel Magnolias) and photographer. For 10 years she managed the Visual Arts Center bringing in shows from national artists and teaching Art Mondays/Tuesdays kid's art classes. Everyone in Newport has seen Nancy Jane's photos in the News-Times, on posters and publicity brochures, and exhibits in galleries around town. She excelled at "capturing the moment" at the play, the concert, the wedding, or the Oregon Coast Jazz Party. On top of that, she still found time to swim at the pool, sing in the Central Coast Chorale, and donate her time to Altrusa. She seemed to be everywhere and know everyone. Beneath it all, Nancy Jane was deeply curious and found constant delight in the world's mysteries, from the grand and philosophical to the small and seemingly mundane. Her "sense of absurdity," as she called it, allowed her to remain doggedly positive in the face of great adversity. Everyone around her has found inspiration in her strength and perspective, and we will continue to learn from her for a long time to come. She is survived by her husband Peter Lawson, her son Alex Lawson, her sister Ellen, brothers Brian and Robert, nieces Rebecca and Allison, and nephews Michael and Stephen. There will be a Celebration of Life at the Performing Arts Center on Halloween, October 31 from 3:00 to 5:30. Costumes and absurdity are welcome. Remembrances in her name should go to the Oregon Coast Council for the Arts, Visual Arts Center, Youth Art Program.

Tributes

Nancy Jane Reid

August 8, 1951 - September 25, 2015