In Memory: Nancy G. Mayer, Age 89
It is with heavy hearts we announce the passing of Nancy G. Mayer. She was born on August 3, 1934 in Rye, New York. She died June 29, 2024. Nancy was free-spirited, inquisitive, generous, fun-loving, and opinionated. She loved a good party and loved to dance, but most of all she adored 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 profiled frequently in The New York Times. Grant was also 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 American Jewish Committee’s Human Relations Award.
Nancy graduated from the Rye Country Day School, the Connecticut College for Women and Radcliffe College (now Harvard University). Nancy was a journalist in New York City and had 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 also respect and admire.”
Nancy was married to Princeton Professor Arno Joseph Mayer and they were parents to Carl and Daniel. Nancy is survived by her two sons, Carl J. Mayer, an attorney, and author, whose cases and opinion pieces have been featured frequently 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. And two daughters-in-law: Karen Zemble and Sarah Hemphill. Nancy will be deeply missed.
