In memory of: Nancy G. Mayer, age 89

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Nancy G. Mayer. She was born on August 3, 1934 in Rye, New York. She passed away on June 29, 2024. Nancy was free-spirited, curious, generous, fun-loving and headstrong. She loved a good party and loved to dance, but most of all she loved her children and grandchildren.

Nancy was the daughter of Arnold Monroe Grant and Frances S. Grant. Arnold was an entertainment lawyer whose clients included Johnny Carson, Orson Welles, Salvador Dali, Bing Crosby and Gary Cooper. She was regularly profiled in The New York Times. Grant also served as an adviser to many prominent politicians, including Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt, John and Bobby Kennedy, and Adlai Stevenson. Active in Jewish affairs, she received the Human Relations Award from the American Jewish Committee.

Nancy graduated from Rye Country Day School, Connecticut College for Women, and Radcliffe College (now Harvard University). Nancy was a journalist in New York City, having numerous cover stories for New York Magazine and Cosmopolitan. She was the author of the 1978 book The Male Mid-Life Crisis: Fresh Starts After 40. The dedication in the book reads: “…to Carl and Daniel, whom I not only love, but respect and admire.”

Nancy was married to Princeton Professor Arno Joseph Mayer and they were the parents of Carl and Daniel. Nancy is survived by her two sons, Carl J. Mayer, an attorney and author whose cases and op-eds have appeared regularly in The New York Times, and Daniel P. Mayer, a lifelong public school educator and leader. She is also survived by five grandchildren: Nathanael, Shane, Samuel, Ruby, and Lillian. She is survived by two daughters-in-law: Karen Zemble and Sarah Hemphill. Nancy will be greatly missed.