Obituary of Nancy C. Detert

Nancy Detert, a longtime public servant who had a tremendous impact on the citizens of Sarasota County and of Florida for more than three decades, passed away peacefully in her home on Wednesday, April 5, 2023.  

Detert was elected to the Sarasota County Commission in 2016 and was serving as vice-chair at the time of her death. She served as a Sarasota County School Board member from 1988 to 1992, State Representative in the Florida House of Representatives from 1998 to 2006, and State Senator in the Florida Senate from 2008 to 2016.  

Described by many admirers as tough but fair, Detert was a fearless advocate for improving the quality of life for Floridians, especially for foster children and people with disabilities. Her support and advocacy for the Loveland Center in Venice, a nonprofit serving children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, led to the creation of a 42-unit residential facility that was named the Nancy Detert Residences at Loveland Village in her honor. As a state senator, Detert was the recipient of numerous awards and passed many bills but was most proud of passing a bill that extends foster care from age 18 to 21. The Senate President named it the Nancy C. Detert Common Sense and Compassion Independent Living Act. One of Detert’s loves and passions were movies and theater. Detert had a pivotal influence in keeping the film industry alive in Florida.  

Nancy Carroll Detert was born in Chicago, Illinois on Oct. 22, 1944 to parents James and Virginia Carroll. She is survived by brothers Jim (Lynda) and Denis (Robin), and sisters Marilyn and Kay (Mike). Nancy is also survived by her sons Mark (Sandy), Bryan (Jackie), and Jamie (Karla). She had nine grandchildren, three step-grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, and four step-great-grandchildren. She attended Siena Heights University in Michigan. She was a descendant of Charles Carroll, a signer of the Declaration of Independence. 

Detert moved to Florida in 1978 with her husband Herman (Bill) Detert and family. Before embarking on her political career, she was a mortgage broker, and operated Osprey Mortgage Company in Venice for 25 years.  

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00AM on Saturday, April 29, 2023 at Epiphany Cathedral in Venice. A reception will follow from 11:30AM-2:30PM at the Plantation Golf & Country Club, 500 Rockley Blvd., Venice, Florida 34293. In lieu of flowers, the family would like donations made to Gulf Coast Community Foundation, 601 Tamiami Trail S., Venice, FL 34285 (with memo line: Nancy Detert Memorial Fund) that will go to her greatest causes and passions.