Nancy C. Irsay, 65, of Carmel passed away Saturday, November 7, 2015. She was born August 21, 1950, in Morton Grove, Illinois, to Douglas D. and Elsie M. (Tallberg) Clifford. She married Robert Irsay on June 17, 1989, and he preceded her in death on January 14, 1997. Survivors include two brothers: Douglas D. Clifford of West Palm Beach, Florida, and Andrew D. Clifford and wife, Susan, of Marlboro, New Jersey, and two nephews, Scott Clifford and Jack Clifford, both of Marlboro, New Jersey.
Nancy was well-known for her work in the philanthropic community, as an artist, a successful businesswoman, and the widow of former Indianapolis Colts owner Robert Irsay.
Nancy started her professional career in 1974, after graduating from the Central School of Art and Design in London, England. She worked with a couple of large agencies and went on to develop new product ideas, brochures and print advertising for Jovan Men’s Collections and Madame Jovan fragrance. She counted among her past clients: Alberto V-O5 and Harris Computer Products. Later she joined Sears Roebuck & Co. as a corporate design director. In 1984, she was recruited to join Paul Harris Store, a 38-state women’s apparel retail chain headquartered in Indianapolis, as director of communications and design. Nancy was instrumental in the design and advertising implementation of the Pasta Collection line from Paul Harris. Three years later she returned to Chicago and started her own marketing firm, Clifford & Associates.
In 1985, Nancy first met Robert Irsay through a mutual friend. They met again in 1986 and married in 1989, where they made their permanent home in Indianapolis. In 1994, Nancy and her husband bought a 132-acre piece of land in Carmel and built a first-class equestrian facility she called Sweet Charity Farm. Over the next 11 years, Nancy operated that facility, hosting nearly 35 horse shows a year, several of which were sanctioned by USA Equestrian. Over time, Nancy expanded the scope of the facility to support a variety of needs such as dog agility shows. The facility brought about 40,000 people and $10 million annually to the Indianapolis/Carmel area. Nancy sold Sweet Charity Farm in 2005.
Nancy was an avid advocate for women, children and animals. She had a passion for horses and dogs and a deep desire to help not-for-profit organizations achieve their fundraising goals. Nancy had a long history of giving her time and talents to a number of organizations and made the entertainment pavilion at her residence, The Robert Irsay Pavilion, available to community organizations for fundraising events and community activities.
Nancy hosted an annual women’s retreat, Nancy’s Retreat, where she and a group of ladies went to different warm destinations and listened to speakers on women’s financial concerns, health and well-being, while also using this opportunity to benefit local charities.
Nancy’s passion for politics lead her to run, unsuccessfully, for the Indiana House of Representatives in 1998. She considered it one of the best experiences of her life.
Though Nancy was raised in the Chicago suburbs, her father was British. She traveled frequently to Britain and spent her time between her home in Carmel, Indiana and her flat in London, England. Nancy leaves family members and many dear friends she made while living abroad.
Burial will be in Crown Hill Cemetery in Indianapolis, IN.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions be made to the Hamilton County Humane Society, 1721 Pleasant Street, Suite B, Noblesville, Indiana 46060 or at www.hamiltonhumane.com, or to the Alpha 1 Foundation, 3300 Ponce de Leon Blvd., Coral Gables, Florida 33134 or at www.alpha1.org. Arrangements have been entrusted to Swartz Family Community Mortuary and Memorial Center in Franklin, IN.
Swartz Family Community Mortuary - November 13, 2015
Nancy was well-known for her work in the philanthropic community, as an artist, a successful businesswoman, and the widow of former Indianapolis Colts owner Robert Irsay.
Nancy started her professional career in 1974, after graduating from the Central School of Art and Design in London, England. She worked with a couple of large agencies and went on to develop new product ideas, brochures and print advertising for Jovan Men’s Collections and Madame Jovan fragrance. She counted among her past clients: Alberto V-O5 and Harris Computer Products. Later she joined Sears Roebuck & Co. as a corporate design director. In 1984, she was recruited to join Paul Harris Store, a 38-state women’s apparel retail chain headquartered in Indianapolis, as director of communications and design. Nancy was instrumental in the design and advertising implementation of the Pasta Collection line from Paul Harris. Three years later she returned to Chicago and started her own marketing firm, Clifford & Associates.
In 1985, Nancy first met Robert Irsay through a mutual friend. They met again in 1986 and married in 1989, where they made their permanent home in Indianapolis. In 1994, Nancy and her husband bought a 132-acre piece of land in Carmel and built a first-class equestrian facility she called Sweet Charity Farm. Over the next 11 years, Nancy operated that facility, hosting nearly 35 horse shows a year, several of which were sanctioned by USA Equestrian. Over time, Nancy expanded the scope of the facility to support a variety of needs such as dog agility shows. The facility brought about 40,000 people and $10 million annually to the Indianapolis/Carmel area. Nancy sold Sweet Charity Farm in 2005.
Nancy was an avid advocate for women, children and animals. She had a passion for horses and dogs and a deep desire to help not-for-profit organizations achieve their fundraising goals. Nancy had a long history of giving her time and talents to a number of organizations and made the entertainment pavilion at her residence, The Robert Irsay Pavilion, available to community organizations for fundraising events and community activities.
Nancy hosted an annual women’s retreat, Nancy’s Retreat, where she and a group of ladies went to different warm destinations and listened to speakers on women’s financial concerns, health and well-being, while also using this opportunity to benefit local charities.
Nancy’s passion for politics lead her to run, unsuccessfully, for the Indiana House of Representatives in 1998. She considered it one of the best experiences of her life.
Though Nancy was raised in the Chicago suburbs, her father was British. She traveled frequently to Britain and spent her time between her home in Carmel, Indiana and her flat in London, England. Nancy leaves family members and many dear friends she made while living abroad.
Burial will be in Crown Hill Cemetery in Indianapolis, IN.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions be made to the Hamilton County Humane Society, 1721 Pleasant Street, Suite B, Noblesville, Indiana 46060 or at www.hamiltonhumane.com, or to the Alpha 1 Foundation, 3300 Ponce de Leon Blvd., Coral Gables, Florida 33134 or at www.alpha1.org. Arrangements have been entrusted to Swartz Family Community Mortuary and Memorial Center in Franklin, IN.
Swartz Family Community Mortuary - November 13, 2015
Nancy C. Irsay, 65, of Carmel passed away Saturday, November 7, 2015. She was born August 21, 1950, in Morton Grove, Illinois, to Douglas D. and Elsie M. (Tallberg) Clifford. She married Robert Irsay on June 17, 1989, and he preceded her in death on January 14, 1997. Survivors include two brothers: Douglas D. Clifford of West Palm Beach, Florida, and Andrew D. Clifford and wife, Susan, of Marlboro, New Jersey, and two nephews, Scott Clifford and Jack Clifford, both of Marlboro, New Jersey.
Nancy was well-known for her work in the philanthropic community, as an artist, a successful businesswoman, and the widow of former Indianapolis Colts owner Robert Irsay.
Nancy started her professional career in 1974, after graduating from the Central School of Art and Design in London, England. She worked with a couple of large agencies and went on to develop new product ideas, brochures and print advertising for Jovan Men’s Collections and Madame Jovan fragrance. She counted among her past clients: Alberto V-O5 and Harris Computer Products. Later she joined Sears Roebuck & Co. as a corporate design director. In 1984, she was recruited to join Paul Harris Store, a 38-state women’s apparel retail chain headquartered in Indianapolis, as director of communications and design. Nancy was instrumental in the design and advertising implementation of the Pasta Collection line from Paul Harris. Three years later she returned to Chicago and started her own marketing firm, Clifford & Associates.
In 1985, Nancy first met Robert Irsay through a mutual friend. They met again in 1986 and married in 1989, where they made their permanent home in Indianapolis. In 1994, Nancy and her husband bought a 132-acre piece of land in Carmel and built a first-class equestrian facility she called Sweet Charity Farm. Over the next 11 years, Nancy operated that facility, hosting nearly 35 horse shows a year, several of which were sanctioned by USA Equestrian. Over time, Nancy expanded the scope of the facility to support a variety of needs such as dog agility shows. The facility brought about 40,000 people and $10 million annually to the Indianapolis/Carmel area. Nancy sold Sweet Charity Farm in 2005.
Nancy was an avid advocate for women, children and animals. She had a passion for horses and dogs and a deep desire to help not-for-profit organizations achieve their fundraising goals. Nancy had a long history of giving her time and talents to a number of organizations and made the entertainment pavilion at her residence, The Robert Irsay Pavilion, available to community organizations for fundraising events and community activities.
Nancy hosted an annual women’s retreat, Nancy’s Retreat, where she and a group of ladies went to different warm destinations and listened to speakers on women’s financial concerns, health and well-being, while also using this opportunity to benefit local charities.
Nancy’s passion for politics lead her to run, unsuccessfully, for the Indiana House of Representatives in 1998. She considered it one of the best experiences of her life.
Though Nancy was raised in the Chicago suburbs, her father was British. She traveled frequently to Britain and spent her time between her home in Carmel, Indiana and her flat in London, England. Nancy leaves family members and many dear friends she made while living abroad.
Burial will be in Crown Hill Cemetery in Indianapolis, IN.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions be made to the Hamilton County Humane Society, 1721 Pleasant Street, Suite B, Noblesville, Indiana 46060 or at www.hamiltonhumane.com, or to the Alpha 1 Foundation, 3300 Ponce de Leon Blvd., Coral Gables, Florida 33134 or at www.alpha1.org. Arrangements have been entrusted to Swartz Family Community Mortuary and Memorial Center in Franklin, IN.
Swartz Family Community Mortuary - November 13, 2015
Nancy was well-known for her work in the philanthropic community, as an artist, a successful businesswoman, and the widow of former Indianapolis Colts owner Robert Irsay.
Nancy started her professional career in 1974, after graduating from the Central School of Art and Design in London, England. She worked with a couple of large agencies and went on to develop new product ideas, brochures and print advertising for Jovan Men’s Collections and Madame Jovan fragrance. She counted among her past clients: Alberto V-O5 and Harris Computer Products. Later she joined Sears Roebuck & Co. as a corporate design director. In 1984, she was recruited to join Paul Harris Store, a 38-state women’s apparel retail chain headquartered in Indianapolis, as director of communications and design. Nancy was instrumental in the design and advertising implementation of the Pasta Collection line from Paul Harris. Three years later she returned to Chicago and started her own marketing firm, Clifford & Associates.
In 1985, Nancy first met Robert Irsay through a mutual friend. They met again in 1986 and married in 1989, where they made their permanent home in Indianapolis. In 1994, Nancy and her husband bought a 132-acre piece of land in Carmel and built a first-class equestrian facility she called Sweet Charity Farm. Over the next 11 years, Nancy operated that facility, hosting nearly 35 horse shows a year, several of which were sanctioned by USA Equestrian. Over time, Nancy expanded the scope of the facility to support a variety of needs such as dog agility shows. The facility brought about 40,000 people and $10 million annually to the Indianapolis/Carmel area. Nancy sold Sweet Charity Farm in 2005.
Nancy was an avid advocate for women, children and animals. She had a passion for horses and dogs and a deep desire to help not-for-profit organizations achieve their fundraising goals. Nancy had a long history of giving her time and talents to a number of organizations and made the entertainment pavilion at her residence, The Robert Irsay Pavilion, available to community organizations for fundraising events and community activities.
Nancy hosted an annual women’s retreat, Nancy’s Retreat, where she and a group of ladies went to different warm destinations and listened to speakers on women’s financial concerns, health and well-being, while also using this opportunity to benefit local charities.
Nancy’s passion for politics lead her to run, unsuccessfully, for the Indiana House of Representatives in 1998. She considered it one of the best experiences of her life.
Though Nancy was raised in the Chicago suburbs, her father was British. She traveled frequently to Britain and spent her time between her home in Carmel, Indiana and her flat in London, England. Nancy leaves family members and many dear friends she made while living abroad.
Burial will be in Crown Hill Cemetery in Indianapolis, IN.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions be made to the Hamilton County Humane Society, 1721 Pleasant Street, Suite B, Noblesville, Indiana 46060 or at www.hamiltonhumane.com, or to the Alpha 1 Foundation, 3300 Ponce de Leon Blvd., Coral Gables, Florida 33134 or at www.alpha1.org. Arrangements have been entrusted to Swartz Family Community Mortuary and Memorial Center in Franklin, IN.
Swartz Family Community Mortuary - November 13, 2015
