1933–2024
Nancy Novotny Dougherty, beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, cousin, aunt, teacher, and dear friend, passed away peacefully on Sunday, November 3, 2024, surrounded by her loving son and daughter-in-law. She was 91 years old.
Born in 1933 in Cleveland, Ohio, during the Great Depression, Nancy’s early life was shaped by the love and resilience of her parents. During World War II, she witnessed firsthand the sacrifices of the time as her father served as a colonel in the US Army in Europe, while her mother, Agnes, raised Nancy and her younger brother, Ray II.
After the war, the Novotny family moved to Alexandria, Virginia, where her father worked in the Eisenhower administration. After her parents relocated to California, Nancy graduated from Lincoln High School in San Francisco, California. She went on to study at San Jose State University and Kent State University, where she joined the Alpha Phi sorority. It was there that she met Dave Dougherty, a Sigma Chi who had just returned from studying at the University of Edinburgh, followed by an adventurous solo motorcycle journey through Europe and the Middle East.
Nancy and Dave were married in 1956 at the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C., with their reception at the historic Gadsby’s Tavern. Dave worked for NCR and IBM, and together, they had two sons: Doug and Tom.
After their divorce in 1965, Nancy and her children crossed the country by train to be near her parents, who had moved to Welches, Oregon. As a single mother, Nancy demonstrated the love and resilience she had learned from her parents. Determined to support her family, Nancy began teaching third grade at Welches School even before earning her bachelor’s degree and teaching certification from Lewis & Clark College. She was later awarded a fellowship to pursue a Master’s degree at the University of Oregon, which took her, Doug, Tom, and their sheepdog Moppy to Eugene, Oregon, for a year (1971-72).
Nancy’s passion was working with children, and many former students remember her fondly. Even in her later years, she was regularly approached by former students who told her she had been their favorite teacher.
In 1975, Nancy married Bill Spencer, the owner of Spencer Realty, and together they purchased a cabin in Rhododendron. When their marriage later ended, Nancy took over the payments for the log cabin, which she discovered had been designed and constructed by the Steiner family. She began researching and cataloging Steiner cabins and shared her findings with the Mt. Hood Cultural Center and Museum in Government Camp, Oregon. She helped found the Steiner Society, and in recognition of her extensive work, she was presented with the inaugural Steiner Society award.
In 1982, Nancy married Bob Wise, a former colleague of her father’s in Washington, D.C. Though they moved to Vancouver, Washington, Nancy continued to teach at Welches School. Bob’s health began to decline, and she cared for him until his passing in 1994. At the same time, she was providing loving care for her parents until they both passed away in 1995.
Nancy retired from teaching in 1995, marking the end of a fulfilling career. That same year, Nancy reconnected with Dennis Atkinson, a former music teacher at Welches School, and they married. Nancy joined him in Paris, where she embraced life as an expatriate.
However, her life was soon devastated by heartbreak when her son, Tom, was diagnosed with glioblastoma brain cancer and passed away in 2000. Nancy’s dedication to Tom during his illness was unwavering, and she poured her heart into his care until the very end.
Nancy found great joy in spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. When they were young, Nana was the adventurous and stylish grandmother who would swoop in from Paris at Christmas and summers to take her grandchildren on special one-on-one trips. She also made the annual Christmas Eve dinner at Timberline Lodge a treasured family tradition. Nana was adored by her great-grandchildren and, even in her 90s, was known to get down on the floor to play with them.
Over the years, Nancy was actively involved in many community organizations. She was the founder and elected first chair of both the Villages at Mt. Hood board and the Rhododendron Community Planning Organization. She also held leadership positions with the Hoodland Women’s Club and the Rhododendron Water Association. In addition to her extensive work with the Steiner Society, she worked closely with the Mt. Hood Cultural Center and Museum and was an active member of The Friends of Timberline.
Nancy’s later years were filled with love and adventure. In 2007, Nancy met Bob duBiel, a Navy Commander and fighter pilot who served in WWII, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. They would refer to each other as “the loves of their lives.” Together, they traveled the world and shared many years of happiness before Bob passed away in 2015.
After Bob’s death, Nancy spent her winters in Palm Desert, California, where she became an active member of the “All Bocced Up” bocce ball team and continued to enjoy entertaining friends.
In November of 2023, as her health declined, her doctors strongly recommended she move to assisted living. Always decisive and independent, she chose and moved to Bethany Village near Beaverton, Oregon. There, she enjoyed being with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
Nancy is survived by her son, Dr. Douglas C. Dougherty and his wife, Laura K. Dougherty, of Gearhart, OR; grandchildren, David D. Dougherty of Arch Cape, OR, and Kathleen C. Cope (Nathan), and great-grandchildren Jaxon T. Cope and Isla J. Cope of Forest Grove, OR. She was predeceased by her beloved son, Dr. Thomas J. Dougherty, in 2000. She is also survived by her brother, Raymond J. Novotny II, of Mission Viejo, CA.
Donations may be made to the American Heart Association or the Alzheimer’s Association. As per her wishes, Nancy was interred beside her beloved Bob duBiel at Willamette National Cemetery in Portland, Oregon, near both of her parents. A celebration of life will be held at 2:00 pm on Saturday, April 26, 2025, at the Steiner Log Church, 68835 East Barlow Trail Road, Welches, OR.