Nan Abbott
French Horn
Nan Abbott (d. 2014)
Nan Abbott was born in Lockport, NY and graduated from Lockport High School. She earned an AS Degree in Music from Niagara County Community College, a BA in Psychology from SUNY Stony Brook, an MS in Education from Indiana University, Bloomington, and a Master’s Degree in Social Work from SUNY Buffalo. At the time of her passing, she was employed at ECMC, Northern Erie Clinical Services as a Clinical Social Worker.
A fine horn player and excellent Section Leader, Nan was an avid supporter of the Buffalo Niagara Concert Band during its formative years, serving as Principal Horn, BNCB President, and Member of the Board of Directors. She was an enthusiastic advocate of our mission to provide excellence in performance for the community. A kind, warm-hearted friend, she always made sure you felt welcome and let you know she was there for you if you needed someone. Nan loved her husband, Fred DeVantier, fishing, and boating, and was also known for her spicy guacamole. We miss you, Nan!
Oh, I have slipped the surly bonds of Earth
And danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings
And while with silent, lifting mind I’ve trod
The high untrespassed sanctity of space,
Put out my hand, and touched the face of God.
~excerpt from “High Flight,” a poem by John Gillespie Magee, Jr.
Inspired by these words, James Curnow composed the piece “Where Never Lark or Eagle Flew,” which was performed by the BNCB and dedicated to Nan during our spring concert in May of 2015.
