Nancy Kaehr

When people at CARE think of Nancy Olmsted Kaehr, they instantly think of her radiant smile, her sincere warmth and her whimsical spirit. Nancy, who passed away in October 2018, was one of those rare individuals whose reverence for nature was demonstrated by her delight in humankind and her work to make the world a better place. She and her husband, the Reverend Canon Michael G. Kaehr, spent 21 glorious years together living in La Jolla, California and they each shared a unique and deep love for humanity. Together, they supported, engaged with and volunteered with multiple organizations and institutions, including CARE.

As an accomplished academic, Nancy graduated from Vassar College and then went on to work in the biophysics department at Sloan Kettering Institute in New York. Afterwards, she continued her education at Stanford University (MS, 1963, Mathematics), and then at Yale University (MD, 1969). Her Pediatric Internship and Residency at Children's Hospital, San Francisco was followed by a Pediatric Pulmonary Fellowship at University of California, San Diego; where she remained as Assistant Clinical Professor of Pediatrics until 1988. Nancy's curiosity about the human body was demonstrated by her fierce respect for both science and art.

In 1974, Nancy began supporting CARE and did so each year until her death. She chose CARE because of its focus on helping the most vulnerable and marginalized around the world, often focusing on environmental and education issues. Together, Nancy and Michael continued to deepen their commitment to CARE's sustainability and global poverty fighting work and became legacy society donors. They knew that they could not fix extreme poverty, however, they believed that they had an obligation to provide basic necessities and resources to those who are less fortunate.

Not only was Nancy incredibly accomplished and generous, she loved to throw a great theme party! Both Nancy and Michael helped several nonprofits by opening their home to engage with friends, family and donors. Nancy's meticulous execution of themed festivities was admired and adored by all who had the good fortune to attend. In 2013, they hosted CARE and former CARE CEO, Helene Gayle, at their home. The gatherings not only bring awareness to the issues they CARE deeply for, they provide a sense of joy and wonder, providing a valuable respite for the seriousness and plight of the world.

Being able to live each day like it truly mattered was critical for Nancy and Michael as they both struggled with health issues along the way. Because of this, it was even more important that they not take anything for granted and to make each day count. Nancy worked with CARE to establish an endowed gift for CARE that will allow her legacy to continue forever. This is a testament to her trust in CARE and her passion for our work around the world. She was a woman who truly made a difference around the world and touched many lives.