Longtime Sarasota County leader Nancy Detert remembered for tenacious spirit
Close to 500 friends, family, and local officials gathered Saturday at Nancy Detert’s mass at the Epiphany Cathedral in Venice.
Detert’s life of service was honored by those in attendance. She was remembered for her work representing District 3 on the Sarasota County Commission from 2016 until her death, serving as a Sarasota County School Board member from 1988 to 1992, as a Florida Representative from 1998 to 2006, and as a Florida Senator from 2008 to 2016.
Detert passed away peacefully in her home in Venice on April 5 after serving in Sarasota County and Florida for more than three decades. She had a passion for politics and standing up for children with disabilities. She loved music and theatre. She was an avid reader. She loved her family fiercely, and she’ll forever be remembered as the coolest grandmother by her nine grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, and four step-great-grandchildren.
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“In her departure from this life to the next, we can only mourn her loss for compassionate reasons, but also because we fondly remember her by tireless soliloquies and the legacy that she has left for our people at large,” Rev. Patrick Dubois said during the mass.
Her son Bryan Detert gave a loving, tearful eulogy in honor of his mother. He’ll forever cherish Saturday mornings growing up when his mom would throw on record after record as the family cleaned their home. She would play big band music and soundtracks from “My Fair Lady,” “A Chorus Line,” “Little Orphan Annie” and “Cabaret.”
She was her three sons’ biggest cheerleader and dutifully attended all their football, baseball, and basketball games. She instilled a competitive spirit in her sons and taught them to apply the lessons they learned from playing sports to everyday life.
“We were taught that in sports and in life you have to participate in the games to affect the results of them because ultimately, sitting on the sidelines is not an option,” Bryan Detert said. “Make people aware of who you are, and most importantly, be a great teammate and work with others around you to be successful and to be proud of your efforts when you look back.”
Former Florida House Representative and former Senator Lisa Carlton also gave a eulogy for her longtime friend and colleague who she has known since 1988. She cherished the mentorship and empowerment that Nancy Deter provided to her and other women who continue to serve communities across the state. Carlton said Nancy Detert’s tenacity and straightforward communication style were refreshing and respected by her political colleagues.
“Senator Detert, there’s no doubt you have secured the best staff, the best advisers, the closest parking spot, and are upstairs right now,” Carlton said. “Godspeed, my friend. May you have the best time writing the next chapter.”
In lieu of flowers, Detert's family asked that donations be made to Gulf Coast Community Foundation, with the memo line, "Nancy Detert Memorial Fund." Those donations will go toward her greatest causes and passions.
This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Nancy Detert: Sarasota County longtime leader remembered
