Remembering Nancy

In October of 2006, one year after being diagnosed with breast cancer, Nancy Colton wanted to give back to the fight against cancer. Along with her mother, Harriet Wasserman, Nancy decided to hold a Breast Cancer Awareness luncheon to raise funds for a cancer support charity. Six years later, that luncheon has grown into a beloved tradition of generosity and a way for Harriet to uphold the memory of her daughter, who we sadly lost in 2009.

On October 22, Nearly 80 women gathered at the home of Harriet’s friends Debbie and Scott Steinhart for the Sixth Annual Luncheon. The group included longtime friends, family members, and fellow support group members from The Wellness Community Valley/Ventura (TWCVV). This year, the funds raised at the luncheon were donated to TWCVV, where Nancy and Harriet found hope and friendship through support groups, yoga, and other programs when Nancy was going through treatment. So that more of the funds from the luncheon could go directly to TWCVV, all of the food was donated by two catering companies that Harriet’s son is involved in: Bruce’s Catering and Lunchbox.

Since her election to the Board of Directors in 2006, Harriet has been a champion for TWCVV through her leadership and constant dedication. “I really enjoy being on the Board, and I look forward to each fundraising event to help keep the doors of TWCVV open,” says Harriet. When asked what keeps her motivated to take on the planning and hosting duties of the luncheon each year, she says, “My motivation is to keep giving back in Nancy’s name and to keep her memory alive.”

Nancy’s memory was ever-present at this year’s luncheon, in the minds of all the women who attended, and in the words of a speech she had first given three years ago, which Harriet repeated. Nancy’s sense of humor jumps off the page, but she also manages to make the poignancy of the gathering come alive with just a simple sentence at the end.

Below is Nancy’s speech from 2008, read by Harriet at the 2011 luncheon:

As I look around today we have gathered together quite an eclectic group of women. There are women here that have been friends with my mom since they were kids growing up, women who have known me since I was a kid growing up. There are women that I’ve been friends with for close to 30 years whose wedding and baby showers we attended. There are friends from the office, friends from the “hood,” friends who I share with on a weekly basis as part of my support group at TWC. There are people here that don’t know me at all, or have met me only once at an event. And there are family members and friends of my mom or mine who were inspired to bring some of their friends along today.

Now some of you that were here last year may be back hoping that my brother again made his famous bread pudding. He did. And there may be some who are here because of the chance to win one of the coveted raffle prizes, there are many. But I believe the truth is you are here because there is a special bond, a unique energy that is truly powerful and empowering when we gather together a group of women to help our mothers, daughters, sisters and friends.