Nancy Jean Steffen

Nancy Jean Steffen of Bennington, Vermont died peacefully at age 88 on October 26, 2023 surrounded by her two surviving sons and loving care givers after a long illness. A Celebration of Life is tentatively scheduled for 4:00 pm on May 24, 2024 at Second Congregational Church. In lieu of flowers the family invites donations “in memory of Nancy Jean Steffen” made directly to: Habitat For Humanity, Bennington County Chapter and/or Prospect Mountain Association. Born in 1935 in Cleveland, Ohio to David and Ogla Ogilvie, Nancy Jean grew up in a golfing family with roots in Scotland. As a youngster, she was happy following other pursuits that involved art, music, and synchronized swimming. After childhood years spent between Cleveland and Augusta, Georgia, Nancy attended Denison University in Ohio where she met her future husband, Tom Steffen. They married on February 23, 1957 and began a long full life together. After Tom finished seminary in Cambridge, MA, the couple moved to Lancaster, Mass for a short period where Tom began his ministry and they started a family. In 1965, she and Tom moved to Bennington with a family of three boys beginning a long journey with Second Congregational Church and the Bennington community. For nearly 60 years, Nancy was a beloved and fearless leader of numerous groups and programs that included: Girl Scouts, church school, and a legendary bicycle group known as the Pedal People. With her endless energy, patience and adventurousness, Nancy took many of Bennington’s youth on annual bicycle trips to places far and wide in the Northeast, Midwest, Canada as well as Europe. Her love of cycling and skiing lead her to purchase a bike and ski shop named Up and Downhill in the early 1970’s. She was a whiz at fixing bikes, prepping skis’ for use, and mentoring many Bennington youth. She also was actively involved in the Prospect Mountain ski community, highlighted by her 40+ years of teaching 5&6 year olds affectionately known as “the Lollipoppers,” how to cross-country ski. As a result of her teaching skills, many of her students developed a lifelong love of the sport with several going on to excel in ski racing in high school, college and on national teams. Nancy was a woman of many talents and always up for a new challenge, from directing the church’s bell ringing choir, manning many hours putting on the church’s Snowball Bazaar and serving on numerous boards and committees in Town. You could always count on Nancy. Throughout her life, she was often busy with arts & crafts, sewing, and cooking. As empty nesters, travel became a common theme for Nancy. This included exploring the globe through Elderhostel’s or enjoying “curiosity trips” throughout the States with her trusted sidekick, sister Peg. She slowed at times to enjoy gardening and tending to flowers at home. It is truly impossible to summarize the impact of this “Energizer Bunny” or “Flash” as she was known to her grandkids had on people. She was known for a smile that would warm the coldest Vermont winters. Her sweet and loving soul was often fueled by a zest for chocolate and diet coke. She will be dearly missed. Nancy is survived by two younger siblings: David Ogilvie III and Margaret “Peg” Johnston; two children James and Jeff; and 6 grandchildren. Preceding her in death are her husband Tom and middle son, David. Memories and photographs can be shared via https://photos.app.goo.gl/XgeVARK9EgK69tF37 Online guestbook condolences may be made at; www.maharandsonfuneralhome.net