Nancy Bauer’s love for her late husband Bill began long before the couple moved to Fredericton in the 1960s from Maine. Yet, it was in New Brunswick that it flourished to higher heights.
They were known by many as BillandNancy – one word – a pair so much a team, so involved in the New Brunswick literary community, so integral to the University of New Brunswick.
Their relationship to the University was established by Bill’s position as an English professor and grew as he emerged as a poet, mentor and original thinker. It also included Nancy’s leadership as the founder of the Maritime Writers workshop, a teacher of creative writing, UNB’s writer in residence and a member of the Tuesday Night group at UNB that inspired many, including her, to produce high quality fiction.
“Bill just loved teaching at UNB,” Nancy said. “He loved the people, he loved the community and it was just so wonderful.”
When Bill passed away in 2010, a fund – the Bill and Nancy Bauer Library Fund - was established to honour his memory. Eight years earlier, Nancy had donated an extensive collection of drafts, manuscripts, lecture notes and other correspondence from their experiences at UNB. Now, to salute their partnership, Nancy has decided to leave a bequest to the university.
“We were here together, we made our lives together and we created something together,” Nancy said. “The idea that this bequest is a further creation appeals to me greatly.”
It’s easy to have an impact: A $25,000 bequest in your will can provide a $1,000 annual scholarship for UNB students forever. For more information or to help us ensure your wishes are fulfilled, email us at devdr@unb.ca.
