Nancy Calzaretta Watt, 84, passed away May 3, 2007 in Palm Springs, CA. She was born July 20, 1922 in Calumet City, IL to Floristano Calzaretta (father) and Concetta Messina (mother). A 50-year resident of Palm Springs, she began her career as executive secretary at the Chicago office of industrial designer Raymond Loewy. She was on staff for over 20 years with the Palm Springs Public Library, as children's librarian at Welwood Murray, as head librarian at North Branch, and as audio-visual librarian and special exhibits curator at Main Branch. She was a 20-year member of the Palm Springs Art Museum Docent Council, as touring and outreach docent and as Docent Specialist and Trainer, in addition to her membership in the Sunday Afternoon Concerts, Architecture and Design and Western Art Councils. Nancy was the founding consultant for the creation of the Agua Caliente Museum Library, and was the original Spirit Keepers program planner. Her active community engagement included the Palm Springs Community Concert Association, Friends of the Palm Springs Library, The Auditorium Project, Friends of the Los Angeles Philharmonic and the Historical Society of Palm Springs. She volunteered at Shelter from the Storm and tutored in the Public Elementary Schools. Nancy was an enthusiastic traveler and continually cultivated her life-long interests in art, architecture and design, theater, music and opera, literature, local and national politics and Dodgers baseball! She enjoyed an incredible range of her interests, which she loved sharing with others. Her lively curiosity, her creativity, imagination and love of learning, her singular will and her sense of humor will be missed by everyone who knew her. Nancy passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her loving family. Pre-deceased by her sister, Violet Calzarett, she is survived by her daughters, Nicola Skinner of Creston, CA, Nina Watt of New York City, NY and Paula Watt of Albuquerque, NM; two granddaughters, Beth Skinner and Cora Skinner, both of Hollywood, CA. There will be a memorial gathering at her home on May 10, 2007 from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m.
Published in The Desert Sun on 5/8/2007.