Nancy Jane Rosenbaum
October 17, 1937 ~ September 8, 2024
Born in:
Montreal, Quebec Canada
Resided in:
Hamden, Connecticut
Nancy Jane Rosenbaum, born Nancy Jane Honey in Montreal, Quebec on October 17, 1937, passed away on September 8, 2024 at the Whitney Center in Hamden, CT. Daughter of the late Clarence Wentworth Honey of Ste. Agathe, Quebec, and Muriel Kinsman Foote of Nova Scotia, she is survived by sister Susan Storch and brother Peter Honey of California, and was pre-deceased by sister Margot Abenheim Honey and brother Bill Honey. A much beloved mother and grandmother, Nancy leaves behind three children from her former marriage to Joel Rosenbaum: daughter Karen Anne Hester and son-in-law Keith Hester of Oregon, WI; daughter Ellen Jane Rosenbaum of New Haven, CT; and daughter Susan Rosenbaum Soper, son-in-law Steven Soper, and granddaughter Natalie Margot Soper of Athens, GA.
Nancy spent her early life in French River, Ontario, where from 1945-1965 her father ran a Canadian Pacific Railway Bungalow fishing camp accessible only by boat or helicopter. Nancy had fond memories of growing up on the French River, where she and her brothers and sisters worked at the lodge and learned to fish, swim, ski, and ride. She completed high school in Pennsylvania and received a BS in Biology (1958) and a MS in Zoology (1963) from Syracuse University. She held research positions at Syracuse, SUNY, and University of Chicago, and from 1973 until her retirement in 2007, she worked as a Lecturer in the Yale University Biology Department, supervising the Introductory Biology Laboratory and its graduate teaching assistants. She loved to share her passion for observing nature, and she taught for many summers at the Children’s School of Science in Woods Hole, MA, serving as President from 1984-85. When Nancy retired, she helped catalog collections at the Peabody Museum and worked part-time in the admissions offices at the Yale Forestry School and the Yale School of Public Health.
Nancy was a resident of Hamden, CT, where she lived from 1967 until her death. She was devoted to her town and active in many Hamden civic organizations. She was dedicated to environmental issues, heading the Tidal Marsh Work Group, part of the Quinnipiac River Watershed Partnership, and chaired the Hamden Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Commission. Nancy advocated for education for all, serving on the Hamden PTA, on the Board of Directors of Chapel Haven (a center that helps adults with disabilities to live independently), and worked as a literacy volunteer. She served as President of both the Hamden League of Women Voters and the Yale University Women’s Organization (YUWO). In recognition of her public service Nancy received a Hamden Notable award in 1999.
Nancy enjoyed gardening both at her home on Thornton Street and later at the Whitney Center. She was an avid bird watcher, often birding with the New Haven Bird Club or in her beloved backyard next to the Mill River. She liked to knit and baked delicious desserts. For many years she took pottery classes at the Creative Arts Workshop, giving many of her creations to loved ones. She was a fan of classical music and opera, and enjoyed attending concerts with friends. Her quiet strength, independence, and zest for life never waned. She appreciated every day and the small things in life, especially spending time with her friends and family; she was loved by all for her kindness and humility.
A Memorial Service will be held in the spring at the Whitney Center. The family deeply appreciates Nancy’s loyal friends and neighbors who enriched her life, and who provided loving support in her final months. The family is also grateful for the incredible medical care and support Nancy received from Yale New Haven Hospital, the Whitney Center, and Connecticut Hospice.
Donations in her memory can be made to any of the organizations she supported. Funeral arrangements are in care of Beecher & Bennett, 2300 Whitney Avenue, Hamden. To send condolences to Nancy’s family, please see her obituary at www.beecherandbennett.com.
Nancy, I will always remember your kindness, your upbeat personality and your smile and your kind words to the caregivers at Whitney Center I am so happy that I were able to assist you in your time in the health center it was always a pleasure as your caregiver we will miss you Nancy.
Dear Susan, Karen, and Ellen,
So sorry to learn of your loss. I remember well when Susan was born because Nancy took over my bed after Kate’s birth on Feb. 1. So many happy memories with all of you and especially your wonderful, caring, creative mother.
Much love,
Nancy Ruddle
Thank you Nancy for all you did for the Town of Hamden. It was a pleasure working with you on matters before the Inlands Wetlands Commission
Always a smile.
She was the best mom I love her dearly you’ll never be forgotten you’re always be in my heart I love you very much
Dear Ellen, Karen and Susan,
Celebrating the life of a beautiful lady Nancy Rosenbaum, we all know that she will be truly missed, yet never be forgotten. My Deepest Sympathy Condolence that I have learn about it when I have read the New Haven Register Obituary online about your mother passing, it was so sad when I saw the picture of, you’re Mother. I have seen her when I went to vote in November at the SPRING GLEN SCHOOL on Election Day, we had a good conversation. I went to RIDGE HILL SCHOOL with your daughter Ellen, we were in the same Classroom Aquarius. I’ve been over your house house a few times for Ellen’s Birthday, went ice skating at the Ingalls Ice Rink I have met Ellen’s two sisters Karen, Susan with her family and went to Classical Concert with Ellen, her mother too. May you find strength in the coming days to come, cherish the memories that you had with her, she will be looking down on you all. Also, Her Soul will still live on and her Body Departs back home in HEAVEN. My thoughts, prayers are with you, your family.