Beloved Bird Lady of Bodega dies
Bodega Bay was saddened to learn that Nancy Tapscott Conzett had passed away Jan. 10 at age 78. Conzett was a fixture at the coast. For years she was known as the Bird Lady of Bodega Bay when she wrote a weekly column about avian happenings. She was passionately involved in historical activities.
She was born in Kentfield, CA but loved spending summers at her grandfather’s cabin in Salmon Creek. As a child she played at Rose Gaffney’s home on Bodega Head and was part of the Battle of Bodega Head when Gaffney took on PG&E to prevent the construction of a nuclear plant on Bodega Head. She attended the California College of Arts and Crafts where she earned a degree. She married and raised a family in Kensington, but her first love was the coast and she moved to Bodega Bay permanently in 1988 to “Tilt City”, a cabin at the end of a road.
She was an avid birder, and a volunteer supporting local history and wildlife. She was a dedicated member of the Rancho Bodega Historical Society. She organized a tribute to an anniversary of the Battle of Bodega Head at Bodega Bay and brought Barbara Dane, jazz singer of Blues Over Bodega fame, to town.
Nancy loved dogs. She always had a faithful canine companion and when it was a sheep dog she would pay ranchers to help her train her animals so they could do what they loved best. She enjoyed gardening, cooking, painting , Giants and Warriors games, and just walking with her dogs.
She passed away peacefully with her family at her side and her dog Trevor with her. He reportedly leaped on the bed to be with her just as she took her last breath.
She is survived by brother Wilbur Tapscott (Jacqueline) of San Rafael, dog Trevor, son Andrew (Faye Anderson) of Stockton, daughter Becky (Mary Colby) of Oakland, numerous nieces & nephews and many friends. A memorial for her is being planned for the spring. . For information please visit http:// tributes.com/NancyConzett. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Doctors Without Borders, TRHS and the Bodega or Sonoma Land Trusts.
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Wow. She sounds like quite a gal. I wish I’d known her.
I never see an oystercatcher without thinking of her.
Sorry to hear of Nancy’s passing. I’ve known her for years and although we weren’t close I always admired what she had to say. She gave me many ID’s of various birds over the years and I was always grateful for her knowledge. RIP.