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Editor’s note: To make the online memorials special, we accept articles written by someone in the branch. Include fond memories, appreciation for her activities in the branch, whether she was an art, letters or music member, and something about her creative works and achievements. Always include date and age at time of death. Please also send photos of the member and of her work, or commentary about her creativity. Submissions for the In Memoriam webpage follow the deadlines for the The Pen Woman magazine.

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We honor the lives of these departed Pen Women…

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Nancy Nesvik, Pensacola Branch

November 15, 1956 – July 19, 2024

 

Cherished member of the Pensacola Branch and our president, Nancy Nesvik will be remembered as a Pen Sister Extraordinaire for her enthusiasm, creativity, and supportive heart. She showed such fortitude during her year-long illness, and we are heartbroken at her loss.

The cover of the Fall 2021 Pen Woman is one of Nancy’s paintings. A visit to the Grand Canyon during the pandemic inspired this mixed media work, “Rooted in Place,” which depicts a spindly, lone pine tree clinging to a cliff with the sweep of the limitless canyon in the background, its roots reaching deep down to keep it alive. Nancy called it “a sobering reminder that isolation requires that we tap our hidden strengths deep within to stay centered and survive.”

The Florida State Association’s 2023 Conference logo was Nancy’s creation: A map of Florida and its surrounding seas is the “fruit” inside a half-peeled orange — its brilliant colors and use of our state’s important fruit were exceptionally creative, and perfect for our conference’s theme, “Our Creative World.”

She also designed our branch’s new logo and the logo for FSA’s 2021 Virtual Contest, whose theme was “The Dauntless Three: Their Vision Continues”; her logo showed, as cameos, profiles of three women whose hairstyles became progressively more modern.

These four pieces alone demonstrate what a talented artist she was, and one who enjoyed participating in NLAPW activities for the inspiration and enjoyment of many.

She wrote in our branch’s 2017 Anthology Nobis: Making Others See: “Whether I’m holding a pencil, paintbrush, or camera, chances are I’m really enjoying myself. For me, art has more to do with being lost in the moment than with the finished product.”

Inspired by ordinary objects or nature, she favored acrylics, watercolors, and pastels. “Painting enhances my understanding of the world,” Nancy stated in an article in The Pen Woman, “whether I’m studying the shapes and reflections in a bowl of old buttons or researching the swirling patterns of Jupiter for a mural.”

Nancy was selected “Pen Woman of the Year” at the 2023 Florida State Association Conference.

A photographer, painter, and muralist, she also did very well in prestigious contests.

She was awarded second place in art in the 2017 Vinnie Ream medal competition for her watercolor, “Sew Many Possibilities” (a collection of bright spools of thread tumbling together); and third place overall in the 49^th Biennial Art competition for her mixed media painting of a turtle swimming underwater, “Catching a Wave.”

Her artistic achievements also include painting murals for local doctors’ offices, her church, and at a middle school. Her annual Christmas cards were local bestsellers each year.

Nancy was incredibly organized and technically proficient. She used to offer a “tech minute” at each branch meeting, providing tips on topics such as taking photos of one’s art, and for the past few years, she published our top-notch monthly newsletter.

Last spring in celebration of our branch’s 80^th anniversary, Nancy came up with the concept of a Creativi-“Tea,” a fun tea party where members brought their own special teacups and wore favorite hats at a lovely, lively spring event, at which she paid tribute to our branch’s history and, as always, gave warm thanks for members who work hard for our branch.

Also to commemorate our 80^th anniversary, Nancy decided that another anthology of our members’ art and writing should be published, called Nobis II. And so it has been.

Nancy’s talents and hard work for Pen Women have made us all better and stronger. I don’t know what would have become of Pensacola Branch without Nancy Nesvik.

She led a full and happy life with her loving family, husband and three sons, and new grandson. She went on many travel adventures, spearheaded community projects, cycled and ran, participated in book clubs, raised butterflies, gardened.

Many years ago, as a brand-new member, I encountered Nancy at a local event one sunny day. When she saw me, her face lit up with a huge smile and she opened her arms wide for a hug. I believe that when we think of Nancy, we will always see her smiling, with arms open for everything.

—Submitted by Karen Morris

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Maureen Cue

1934-2024

A native New Mexican, Maureen Cue was a talented artist in watercolor, batik, and stained glass. She was one of the original founders of Amapola Gallery and a member of the New Mexico Watercolor Society and the Yucca Branch of the National League of American Pen Women.

Cue learned woodworking to carve the front door of her latest house. She had a wicked sense of humor and loved cats, shopping, movies, and strawberry shortcake.

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