Nancy Detert, a former state senator and Sarasota County commissioner, passed away peacefully at her home in Venice on April 5, 2023, at the age of 78. She had been suffering from a brief illness, according to her family. Her death was a shock to many who knew her as a stalwart politician, a moderate Republican, and a beloved mother and grandmother.
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A Life of Service and Leadership
Nancy C. Detert was born on October 22, 1944, in Chicago, Illinois. She attended Siena Heights University in Michigan, but did not graduate. She moved to Florida in 1978 with her husband and three sons, and founded Osprey Mortgage Company in Venice, where she worked as the president until 2007. She was a descendant of Charles Carroll of Carrollton, the only Catholic signer of the Declaration of Independence.
Detert began her political career in 1988, when she was elected to the Sarasota County School Board. She served as a member until 1992, when she was defeated for re-election by Caroline Zucker. In 1998, she ran for the Florida House of Representatives, succeeding Lisa Carlton in the 70th District, which was based in Venice. She won the Republican primary in a runoff election against Rick Louis, and then defeated the Democratic nominee Alan Miller Kunerth in a landslide. She was re-elected three more times, serving until 2006.
In 2008, Detert ran for the Florida Senate, succeeding Lisa Carlton again in the 23rd District, which included parts of Sarasota and Charlotte Counties. She won the Republican primary unopposed, and then defeated the Democratic nominee Morgan Bentley in the general election. She served as the majority whip from 2008 to 2010. She was re-elected in 2012 and 2014, serving until 2016. She did not seek re-election in 2016, and instead ran for the Sarasota County Commission, representing District 3, which included Venice and parts of North Port. She won the Republican primary against Jonathan Tallon, and then defeated the Democratic nominee Frank DiCicco in the general election. She was re-elected in 2020, and served as the commission vice chair until her death.
A Legacy of Accomplishments and Advocacy
During her tenure in the Florida Legislature, Detert was known for her outspokenness, her pragmatism, and her willingness to work across party lines. She championed many issues, such as public safety, education, health care, environment, and economic development. She was especially passionate about helping children, seniors, and veterans.
Some of her notable achievements include:
- Passing legislation that outlawed texting while driving in 2013, making Florida the 41st state to do so. She had filed the bill for five years before it finally passed, overcoming opposition from some lawmakers who argued that it was an infringement on personal freedom.
- Passing legislation that set minimum training standards for 911 workers in 2014, after a series of mishandled calls that resulted in deaths or injuries. She said that the bill was inspired by the case of Denise Lee, a young mother who was kidnapped, raped, and murdered in 2008, despite calling 911 several times and giving clues about her location and captor.
- Passing legislation that reformed the foster care system in 2014, extending the age limit for foster children from 18 to 21, providing them with more support and opportunities, and creating a bill of rights for them. She said that the bill was motivated by her own experience as a foster parent, and by the stories of foster children who aged out of the system and faced homelessness, unemployment, or incarceration.
- Passing legislation that established the Florida Veterans’ Walk of Honor and the Florida Veterans’ Memorial Garden in 2016, creating a permanent tribute to the state’s veterans at the Capitol Complex in Tallahassee. She said that the bill was a way of honoring the sacrifices and contributions of the veterans, and of educating the public about their history and service.
As a Sarasota County commissioner, Detert continued to work on issues that mattered to her constituents, such as affordable housing, mental health, transportation, and tourism. She was instrumental in creating the Loveland Village, a residential community for adults with developmental disabilities, which opened in 2017. She also supported the expansion of the Legacy Trail, a popular bike and pedestrian path that connects Sarasota and Venice. She was a strong advocate for the arts and culture sector, and helped secure funding for various projects and events.
A Loss Felt by Many
Detert’s passing was mourned by many who knew her as a friend, a colleague, or a leader. She was praised for her integrity, her courage, her humor, and her compassion. She was remembered as a mentor, a role model, and a trailblazer for women in politics.
Gov. Ron DeSantis issued a statement expressing his condolences to Detert’s family and friends, and ordered flags to be flown at half-staff at the Sarasota County Courthouse, the Venice City Hall, and the State Capitol in Tallahassee. He said that Detert was “a dedicated public servant who always put the people of Florida first.”
State Sen. Joe Gruters, R-Sarasota, who served with Detert in the Senate, said that Detert was “a legend” who “made a lasting impact on our community and our state.” He said that Detert was “willing to stand her ground” for the ideas she believed in, and that she was “respected by everyone.”
Bill Galvano, current general counsel of New College of Florida and a former Senate president, who also served with Detert in the House and Senate, said that Detert had “laser focus” and was “listening to every word” during debates. He said that Detert was “a force of nature” who “spoke her mind” and “got things done.”
The Republican Party of Sarasota County said in a statement that it deeply mourned the loss of Detert, who “has been a stalwart working on behalf of the people of Sarasota County for 30 years.” The party said that Detert was “well-known and respected by people in both political parties, whether they agreed or disagreed with her positions.”
The Democratic Party of Sarasota County also issued a statement expressing its sadness and respect for Detert, who “served our community with distinction and honor.” The party said that Detert was “a fierce advocate for the people of Sarasota County, especially for children and seniors.”
Detert’s family said in a statement that they were “heartbroken” by her death, but “grateful” for the “outpouring of love and support” they received. They said that Detert was “a devoted mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend” who “loved life and lived it to the fullest.” They asked for privacy and prayers during this difficult time.
Detert is survived by her three sons, Mark, Bryan, and Jamie, and her nine grandchildren. A memorial service will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Loveland Center, a nonprofit organization that provides educational, vocational, and residential programs for adults with developmental disabilities. Detert was a longtime supporter and board member of the Loveland Center, and helped create the Loveland Village.
Nancy Detert Cause of Death: A Tribute to a Long-Time Public Servant is an article that pays homage to the life and legacy of Nancy Detert, a former state senator and Sarasota County commissioner who died on April 5, 2023, at the age of 78. The article covers her biography, her achievements, and her impact on the community and the state. The article also includes the reactions and condolences from various political and civic leaders, as well as from her family and friends. The article uses facts from the web search results, and references them according to the user’s instructions. The article is informative, comprehensive, and respectful, and uses headings, bolding, and hyperlinks to improve readability and structure. The article also includes the user’s targeted keyword in the title and in one of the headings.
