Nurturing Beauty, Building Legacy:
Nancy Greenway’s Story
Wilson Legacy Society member Nancy Greenway reflects on a century of life, 25 years of volunteering, and why she chose to include Tohono Chul in her legacy.
Written by Sasha Case
While wandering around Tohono Chul during a recent Chillin at the Chul/Monsoon Madness evening, I marveled at something I have seen evolve over the past few years. The crowds were abundant, folks strolling around in an easygoing way. The garden was full of families, kids running around joyfully as their parents searched for new plants for their gardens. Folks of all ages munched tasty treats from the various food and drink stations. Young lovers walked hand in hand. Dancers danced to lively Latin rhythms in the performance garden. The night was unseasonably temperate, and our generous monsoon season was being felt by the plant life, already greening up and shimmering with renewed life.
All this made my heart sing. I was reminded of the many reasons I have joined our Wilson Legacy Society. Many of you reading this article may already know of the Wilsons’ legacy. Dick and Jean Wilson bequeathed Tohono Chul, a treasure in our community, and their legacy lives on. We, who have followed the Wilsons’ example, are proud members of a society betting on the future of this special place. We, in the Wilson Legacy Society, have dedicated a portion of our estate to Tohono Chul Park in the belief that our contributions will support future initiatives and the longevity of this special sanctuary. Currently, there are 49 active members in the Wilson Legacy Society, and as a curious person, I am intrigued to know more about my fellow members.
With that in mind, I was granted an interview with a gracious and caring Wilson Legacy Society member, Nancy Greenway. Nancy has been a longtime member and volunteer at the park. In the past, you would have encountered her working Wednesdays in the gift shop. We agreed on a date for me to visit. I drove to her house for a visit a week before she marked what many of us can only hope for: her 100th birthday.
Nancy greeted me in the lobby of her residence on Sabino Canyon and then walked me up to her home. I was greeted at her doorway by one of her favorite sculptures. Upon entering, I quickly realized that I was in the salon of an avid art collector. The works adorning her walls were beautiful, many reflecting her love of the Southwest. Every room was filled with treasures collected through the life she shared with her husband.
Nancy was born and raised in San Francisco, California, not far from Golden Gate Park, where she would walk her dog, Rags. She attended San Jose State, majoring in business with minors in English and art and enjoying time in her sorority, Delta Gamma. After graduating, Nancy returned to San Francisco, enjoying a long and storied career working in many aspects of fashion retail. She and her husband moved to Texas and spent many years in San Antonio, Dallas, and finally the Hill Country, building several homes and enjoying lakeside living. During her time in Texas, Nancy wrote weekly articles for two periodicals and used the name Nanette Eventide as her byline. Finally, Nancy and her husband moved to Tucson in 1995 and bought a home in Sun City.
Nancy visited Tohono Chul very early on and became an integral part of the volunteering community. Her primary volunteerism allowed her to “Play Store.” She spent Wednesdays working in the gift shop next to the Bistro as well as working with others collecting valuable items for the annual gala auction. You could have seen Nancy around the park volunteering for 25 years until COVID reared its ugly head. Perhaps you spotted her enjoying the bench next to the running stream in the Riparian area. Cool and shady, she finds it a wonderful place to reflect on the beauty of nature and the importance of water.
Nancy named three organizations she has chosen to support in her trust. Tohono Chul Park, her beloved sorority, and the Tucson Museum of Art. Nancy shared that she has been going to museums since she was a child. Her mother took Nancy as a young girl to the De Young Museum in San Francisco, and they would then have tea at the tearoom next door. A fond memory.
I asked Nancy why she joined Wilson Legacy Society, and her answer aligns with my own: to ensure the park can remain the community oasis the Wilsons originally intended. Their dream, “wanting to keep something in the middle of all the development so that people could come easily for a few hours and get out of traffic and learn something at the same time,” is worthy of support. Those of us in the Wilson Legacy Society are dedicated to this mission. We support the mission, each in our own way, leaving our legacy in the hope that Tohono Chul will remain a haven for generations to come.
Nature, art, and education are offerings Tohono Chul shares with the community to enjoy and protect. As members of Wilson Legacy Society, through our own legacy gifts, we do our part to guarantee the gates will open to all for generations to come. What would Nancy share with young people about the benefits of philanthropy? She would say, “Give to the organizations important in your life so that they may carry on and mean as much to future generations as they have to you.”
Beautiful, gracious, and sharp as a tack. Nancy’s great taste is reflected in her fashion sense, her home, full of amazing art, and her obvious zest for living. I asked Nancy what her secret was to having such a long and fabulous life. She gave credit to her wonderful husband and Clinique. Hah! I think I’d better pay a visit to my local Clinique counter because Nancy is my new role model for aging artfully.
Thank you, Nancy Greenway, for spending a moment of your special life with me. I am truly honored to have been welcomed into your amazing home to share in your sparkling presence. And thank you for your contribution and commitment to the legacy of the Wilsons.
About the Author
Sasha Case is an artist, longtime Tohono Chul supporter, former President of the Tohono Chul Board of Directors, and member of the Wilson Legacy Society. She first fell in love with Tohono Chul during a visit in 2005 and has since served the organization as a board member, artist, advocate, and supporter of its future.
This blog post was brought to you by the Tohono Chul Philanthropy Committee, made up of Carol Massanari (Chair), Gayle Mateer, Jacque Mingle, Koren Manning, and Sasha Case.
Why a Will is Not Enough Estate Planning Seminar with Jacque Mingle
Saturday, October 24 | 9–11 AM | Wilson Room | Free & Open to the Public
Nancy’s story is a wonderful reminder of the lasting impact we can have on the places and organizations that matter to us. Members of Tohono Chul’s Wilson Legacy Society help ensure this community oasis will continue to thrive for generations to come through gifts included in their estate plans.
Interested in learning more about planning for your own future? Join us for the Why a Will Is Not Enough Seminar, a free estate planning workshop led by Jacque Mingle, attorney, Tohono Chul Board Member, and member of the Philanthropy Committee. Jacque will share important considerations for creating a thoughtful, comprehensive estate plan and help you better understand the steps you can take to protect your wishes and plan for the future.