Obituary of Nancy Hatch Beekman

Nancy Hatch Beekman, 86, of Schenectady NY, passed away at her home on January 10th, 2018 surrounded by her loving family after her two year battle with pancreatic cancer.

Born a triplet on May 5, 1931 in New Rochelle, NY, Nancy was the daughter of the late Theodore Alden Hatch and Rosamond Summerhayes. Shortly after the birth of the triplets, the family moved to Schenectady. Nancy and her triplet sisters, Elizabeth (Libby) and Rosamond (Roz) attended Brown School in Schenectady, NY, where she met many lifelong friends. She attended Oneida Junior High School and Nott Terrace High School in Schenectady, NY.  Nancy attended St. Lawrence University for two years with her sister Roz prior to moving to Boston, MA where she joined her sister Libby at Radcliffe College.  She graduated from Radcliffe in 1952 then worked for Harvard till she married Douw Kunhardt Beekman in 1954.

After her children reached school age she worked at the family’s automotive parts business, Douw F. Beekman, Inc. Nancy also really enjoyed working for Union College for 20 years, retiring at age 83.

For many years she was active in the community. She was a member of the Junior League of Schenectady and the Queens Fort, among others. Most importantly was her devotion to Planned Parenthood, culminating in her presidency of the Hudson Mohawk chapter. She was still volunteering for Planned Parenthood this past year.

Nancy loved both summer and winter sports, especially swimming, sailing and skiing. She spent her vacation time at Lake George and with close friends sailing in the British Virgin Islands. She was a lifelong learner who enjoyed the U-Call program at Union College. She was an avid reader and she loved crossword puzzles.

Nancy was cared for by her daughters, Betsy Summerhayes, who moved back to Schenectady after 13 years on St. Croix, USVI and Alison H. Brust, of Burnt Hills, NY.

Nancy was pre-deceased by her husband of 55 years, Douw Beekman. 

She is survived by her two daughters, her sister Libby Ellis of Estes Park,CO, her son-in-law Glen G. Brust of Burnt Hills, NY; grandchildren Michael C. and Kristin A. Brust, of Burnt Hills, NY; Noah Jenkins of Portland,OR and Benjamin Jenkins of Brooklyn NY; her canine companions, Ruby and Seven; her extended family; and her many, wonderful friends.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, January 27, 2018 at 11:00 am at the First Reformed Church of Schenectady, NY, located at 8 North Church Street. A reception will immediately follow the service in the Dirck Romeyn Room at the church. Memorial donations can be made to:  Planned Parenthood, 1040 State Street, Schenectady NY 12307 or The Lake George Land Conservancy, P.O. Box 1250, Bolton Landing, NY 12814.