“There was no one in the world like Nancy Dorman. She believed in this city and the power of art and education. Humanity, a willingness to roll up her sleeves, and an unshakeable commitment to civic betterment — Nancy embodied it all.” (from a statement issued by the BMA).
Longtime Bolton Hill resident Nancy Dorman, who died on Jan. 12 of cancer at the age of 76, was truly unique.
Nancy was a successful career woman, starting with her work on Capitol Hill in the offices of Sens. Joe Tydings (D-MD) and Walter Mondale (D-MN), followed by a stint in the Carter Administration as a specialist in domestic policy. After marriage to attorney Stan Mazaroff and a move to Park Avenue, where she lived for over 50 years, Nancy began working for a venture capital firm founded in Baltimore, eventually becoming its administrative general partner.
Nancy’s legacy will, however, be her philanthropic work, her passion for the arts and her commitment to Baltimore City. She served as a trustee at the Baltimore Museum of Art and with her husband created the Dorman/Mazaroff Contemporary Endowment Fund, and provided the lead gift for the creation of the Nancy Dorman and Stanley Mazaroff Center for the Study of Prints, Drawings and Photographs there. They are also gifting 90 works of art to the museum, as well as six sculptures to be placed in parks in Bolton Hill.
Nancy was a committed volunteer with several other organizations in Baltimore. Virginia Adams, a member of the Enoch Pratt Free Library board of trustees and former Bolton Hill resident, shared that Nancy had been a trustee of the library, an active member of numerous committees and a generous donor. Virginia noted that “Nancy was particularly devoted to enhancing the services offered by the library’s branches.”
Chris Wright shared that Nancy was a supporter of the Maryland SPCA and served on its board. Chris and her husband lived across from Stan and Nancy for over 30 years and were longtime friends. “Nancy was a delightful person to be around – always warm, affable, and interesting,” she said. “She was intellectually curious and always well-informed about issues of the day, particularly art and politics. She was a wonderful friend and gave one hundred percent of herself to any endeavor she undertook”.
Nancy co-chaired the Art Seminar Group, an organization dedicated to the study and appreciation of the arts. I was fortunate to work with her as its treasurer. Nancy strived for the best in every aspect of her work for the organization. She was open to new thoughts in contemporary art as well as revisiting the Old Masters. I found her sense of humor infectious and her thoughtfulness about organizational priorities extremely valuable. She cared deeply about the city and the extensive art scene that blossomed here.
Nancy and Stanley were avid collectors of contemporary art. On Dec. 9, 2023, BHCA board members Lee Tawney and Linda Stirling announced that Nancy and Stan had donated six sculptures from their collection to the BHCA to be placed in Bolton Hill and Madison Park parks.
“Thoroughly dedicated to Bolton Hill where they lived for over 50 years, Nancy and Stan were keen that a way be found to find a home for their beloved sculptures in the neighborhood. Their artwork will provide a fitting legacy of their eye for fine art, of their love of life on Park Avenue and will truly enhance the quality of life in Bolton Hill and Madison Park,” said Tawney.
–Sallye Perrin lives on Lanale Street and counted Nancy Dorman as a friend
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