Nancy Louise Fogarty, Ph.D.
Nancy Louise Fogarty, Ph.D. died on Tuesday, May 22nd at Josie Harper Hospice House in Omaha surrounded by her siblings, nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, Hugh A. and Dorothy (Cotter) Fogarty; sister, Kay Fogarty Connolly; and grandnieces, Zoe Sledge and Clare Owen.
She is survived by sister, Rosemary Fogarty of Omaha; brothers: William H. Fogarty (Jane) of Houston, John C. Fogarty of Seattle, and James D. Fogarty (Colleen) of Omaha. She was proud of her twelve nieces and nephews: Tess Fogarty (James Sledge), Erin Fogarty Owen (Rob), Adam Fogarty and Ben Fogarty (Suzie) of Omaha, John Fogarty (Ester Katsaros), Joe Fogarty (Kristen Bailey) and Hugh Fogarty of Seattle, Kelly Fogarty O’Donnell (Randy) and Jennifer Fogarty Bredthauer (Paul), of Houston and Daniel Coe Fogarty of Bartlesville, Oklahoma, Cindy Connolly Cates (Curtis) of Omaha, and Greg Connolly (Tara) of Dallas, Texas.
Dr. Fogarty turned an early passion for reading into a lifetime of education, research, scholarship and university administration. Her teaching career began in 1953 at St. Cecilia Grade School where she was able to teach her youngest brother music. But the majority of her career was at the university level at Creighton University. She first taught English as an instructor; she moved on to professor and was granted tenure in 1972.
In 1975 she was named Assistant Dean of Creighton’s College of Arts and Sciences and developed many programs including an academic advising program for the college. For almost two years she served as Acting Dean of the college, a role that oversaw 2,000 students, 200 faculty members and a staff of 25.
Among many honors and highlights was the Mary Lucretia Creighton Award given to the “person who has demonstrated special concern for the support and advancement of women at Creighton University.” In retirement, Dr. Fogarty was promoted to Associate Professor Emerita of English by CU President Rev. John Schlegel S.J.
She delighted family with her stories of world-wide travels to countries such as Africa, Ireland, Great Britain, China and Japan, but equally loved Nebraska—Omaha, Two Rivers and Bass Hole Pond were family favorites.
She touched all who met her and enjoyed a wide community of co-workers and friends and, later, her caregivers. She loved playing Bridge, her book clubs, a glass of wine before dinner, family hootenannies, the Catholic Faith, the Royal Family, music, laughter and her hats to keep the sun off her face while she attended countless events for her nieces and nephews.
Our Sister and Aunt taught all of us until her passing. It was with grace and dignity that she faced Alzheimer’s Disease, relinquishing to us her future and care. Once asked what she would change if she could change one thing in her life, she responded, “I’d slow down time. It all went so fast.” We already miss her and hope we took care of her as well as she took care of us.
Friends will be warmly received to celebrate a life well lived starting at 5pm on Tuesday, May 29th at the West Center Chapel, with a WAKE and ROSARY at 6:30 p.m. Following that service, a family hootenanny will be held. MASS OF CHRISTIAN BURIAL will be at 10:30am on Wednesday, May 30th at St. Patrick Catholic Church, 20500 W. Maple Rd. in Elkhorn, with celebrant, Rev. Thomas Fangman. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to Creighton University, Duchesne Academy, or Josie Harper Hospice House.
5 Comments
Nancy was a wonderful colleague and friend. My sympathy to all her family. I’m sorry that distance keeps me from participating in her services.
Thinking of and praying for Nancy’s family. She was a wonderful mentor to me back in the day when I was a student at Creighton. She reached out to this “townie” to help me feel more connected to the University community. Dr. Fogarty helped me be a better student and a more involved one by opening up many leadership opportunities for me. I will forever be grateful to her. May she rest in peace.
Nancy was a wonderful and charming friend and colleague. Our sympathies to her family. May she rest in peace. She will be missed.
Rosemary:
Please accept my sympathies on the passing of your sister. My brother passed away there on March 6, 2018.
My sincere sympathies. Nancy and I shared an office for 2 years as teaching fellows at Creighton. She was always a fine companion, and I looked forward to lunch together for many years when I visited Omaha.
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