Nancy Petry ‘died with her boots on’

If, as Shakespeare said, all the world’s a stage and we all have our exits and entrances, wouldn’t it be wonderful to be able to script one’s own perfect exit — one as fitting as Nancy Petry had when she left this world on June 3 at age 96.

“In many respects, she died with her boots on,” said former state Rep. Pat Grant, echoing how, at her June 14 funeral mass at Risen Christ Catholic Parish, family members recalled that her last day was a typical, filled-to-the-brim one, a day that included meetings, a walk with her beloved dog, Abby, and the enjoyment of three delicious, homecooked meals. Even a glass of wine.

“She went in her own house doing her own thing,” said friend and neighbor Judi Newman. “I heard that she was watching Wheel of Fortune, which was one of her favorite shows, and was so excited when one of the contestants won $25,000. Then she just quietly slipped away.”

The widow of Nicholas R. (Nick) Petry, the 1986 Citizen of the West whose construction company is perhaps best known for building the moveable east stands at the original Mile High Stadium, Petry is described by those who knew her best as a force, a connector and one who “Certainly could have put on airs, but never did.”

Her wide circle of friends ranged from national politicians and foreign dignitaries to the manicurists, hairdressers and massage therapists who cared for her as much as she did them.

Donna Loflin, Petry’s manicurist for some 35 years, remembers her late client as a “Very kind, genuine person,” someone who would invite Loflin to her Cherry Hills Village home to see a room she had filled with the Western art she’d kept after selling Mill Iron Ranch, a vast property in Saratoga, Wyo., where the Petry family spent many happy times. Loflin grew up in Casper and shared Petry’s love of Western art.

“Certain people touch you deeply because of who they are, and Nancy was one of them,” Loflin said. “She made everyone feel important.”

Shandiin Talker, a therapist who gave Petry massages whenever she was in Saratoga, speaks with fondness about how Petry invited her to pick wildflowers growing at Mill Iron Ranch to use as decorations for Talker’s wedding. “That’s just the kind of person she was … so very thoughtful and nice.”

That Petry remained active until the end didn’t surprise Loflin. “She was driving herself to Wyoming until she was almost 90, I think.”

Even at an age where many of her peers couldn’t or wouldn’t embrace technology, she did. Pete Coors remembers feeling somewhat surprised in late January of 2018 when Petry hitched a ride with her friend Sharon Magness Blake to a 7:30 a.m. meeting of the stock show’s $100 million Honoring the Legacy Campaign, which he chairs. Blake had another commitment after the meeting and apologized for not being able to give her a ride home. Coors said that “Nancy responded by saying ‘No problem’ and proceeded to pull out her phone and book an Uber ride home.”

Martin Harrington, one of Petry’s four children, admired his mother’s ability to remain cool and composed — even in situations like when she’d drive the family station wagon, filled with four rambunctious kids and two carsick golden retrievers, over the high and winding Berthod Pass en route to Grand Lake. Or how she convinced the engineer to stop the train in the middle of a cross-country ride to visit family in the East because son Paul had seemingly disappeared.

Then there was the time when son Tim accompanied his mother to The Masters golf tournament in Augusta, Ga.. Nancy was in her 80s and Tim, angling for a close-in parking spot, told the attendant that his 90-year-old mother had mobility issues and wasn’t able to walk what amounted to the length of the lot. Just as the attendant was ready to give in, came a voice from the back seat. It was Nancy exclaiming, in no uncertain terms, “I am NOT 90 years old!”

She didn’t object, though, when it was clear they didn’t have a good view of the course. Tim took care of that by announcing his mother was related to Irish golfer Padraig Harrington and that she would love to have a better view as he made a key putt. “The crowd parted and as Padraig sank the putt, everyone was patting her on the back, offering congratulations and saying that she must be so proud.”

Born in Providence, Rhode Island, to Joseph G. and Anna Shea Doran, Petry attended the Academy of Sacred Heart Elmhurst before graduating from Manhattanville College in Manhattan, N.Y. Her introduction to the West came in 1947 when, after marrying Martin J. Harrington, her college roommate’s brother, the couple moved to Denver and started their family.

In 1968 she joined the staff of the Institute for International Education, serving as director of the Rocky Mountain regional office before returning to New York to become IIE’s national director of public affairs.

She married Nick Petry in December 1978, and moved back to Colorado, enjoying what those close to her say was a fairy-tale marriage until Nick died in 1999.

“Nancy represented the spirit of the West, and was a force in her own right, a fixture around the National Western, especially when Nick was president and long after he passed,” said Coors, who is also a member of the Western Stock Show Association board. “She loved everything about the National

Western and volunteered to help at every opportunity.”

Doug Jones, chairman of the association board, summed up her essence thusly: “Her bright smile, enthusiasm and get it done attitude were truly an example of what a Westerner is all about.”

“When Nick died, Nancy picked up the standard and carried it with pride and gratitude,” added Pat Grant, who served as president and chief executive officer of the Western Stock Show Association from 1990 to 2009. “She was the founding chair of the Citizen of the West arrangements committee and set the foundation for its continued success.”

Much of her work was done behind-thescenes, such as addressing the hundreds of invitations to the Citizen of the West Dinner, helping to select the artwork that is displayed in the National Western’s Expo Hall and securing Loveland artist Herb Mignery to create the bronze sculpture of a cowboy holding a saddle that is installed outside the Brown Palace Hotel as a “residual reminder” of the importance of the relationship between the city, the National Western and the Western way of life.

In addition to her work on behalf of the National Western, Petry had served on the board of the Buffalo Bill Historical Center in Cody, Wyo., and the advisory board of the Whitney Museum in New York. She also had leadership roles with the Junior League of Denver and the Denver Organizing Committee for the 1976 Olympics and supported the Denver Public Library Adult Education Council, the Denver Art Museum and the Denver Debutante Ball. With Nick, she was a member of the Denver Country Club, Eldorado Country Club, the Old Baldy Club, Cherry Hills Country Club and the Castle Pines Golf Club.

In 2006, when granddaughter Hilary Harrington was a post-debutante, a newspaper account of the occasion noted that the gown Petry was wearing “generated many compliments, as well it should have. Her late husband, Nick, had purchased it for her on one of their many trips to Paris.”

Bonnie Downing became acquainted with Petry when they were both active in the Junior League of Denver. “She was the perennial host for the league’s donor recognition coffee, and in a most diplomatic way she made the message very clear that it was not enough just to give one’s time to the league; that for it to continue long term, gifts of money also were required. She led by example in giving generously of both time and treasure.”

As a “senior advisor” in the league’s philanthropy efforts, Petry worked with Crissie Snow, Nancy Schotters, Frankey Latcham and Gene Koelbel to start the Sustainer Emeritus Luncheon, an event that enabled the organization’s members aged 80 and above to remain connected to the league and receive thanks for the work they had put in during their active member years.

The luncheon was held at Denver Country Club and Petry would give those without transportation rides to the event. “She had a heart of gold,” Snow, a past director of the Junior League Foundation, said.

In addition to sons Martin and Tim, Petry is survived by daughter Nancy (Nondi) Harrington of Sheridan, Mont., and son Paul Harrington of Granby; her sister, Sally Wilson of Bristol, R.I.; five grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. Her extended family includes Nick’s daughters, Patty Lufkin and Suzie Woodard, and four grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren from the Petry side of the family.

Rather than send flowers, the family asks those who wish to consider memorial contributions to the Western Stock Show Association, 4655 Humboldt St., Denver CO 80216, Little Sisters of the Poor/Mullen Home for the Aged, 3629 W. 29th Ave., Denver 80211, or a charity of the donor’s choice.