Nancy Tyler, a swimmer in her youth in Fairfield and later a cheerleader, volunteer and captain’s mom in Darien, passed away in February 2023 at age 65 after a battle against breast cancer. Please consider donating to Swim Across America-Fairfield County to honor our family’s love for swimming and to help make waves to fight cancer in her memory.

During this difficult time, we find some comfort in revisiting the memories and history of how the sport of swimming and the Fairfield County community have meant so much to the Tyler/Anderson family since the 1960s. Growing up in Fairfield, Nancy Anderson demonstrated strong athletic ability in her youth across swimming, tennis and field hockey. She swam not only for Roger Ludlowe High School, but also for Black Rock Yacht Club and the Fairfield YMCA, breaststroke and IM her favorites. Swimming was a full family affair for the Andersons. Her father, George, sat on the boards of both BRYC and the Fairfield YMCA, serving as chairman for the latter. That legacy continued as Nancy passed along her competitive spirit, grit and love of swimming to me, her daughter Lindsay.

“Nance” was then known for her presence on Fairfield County pool decks and stands in the 2000s, normally sporting her tortoise shell sunglasses, her freckles, and a stop watch. She reveled in her time as a cheerleader, timer and/or volunteer for the Middlesex Club, Newfield Club and Darien YMCA Piranhas. And she was the ultimate captain’s mom for the Darien High School Blue Wave and the Dartmouth Big Green, attending every swim meet, cheering for all teammates, and organizing apparel and events. She travelled across New England and the East Coast, and aside from home meets, a few of the pools she often visited were Wesleyan, Yale, many beautiful clubs in the Fairfield County Swim League (FCSL), and the International Swimming Hall of Fame. Most importantly, that support for me and for my friends and teammates translated to life outside of swimming too, something we have been reminded of by many people this year. I can still hear her voice: “Go Lindsay Loo!”

My mom’s happy place was not on a pool deck though, but by the open water, be it Long Island Sound, Cape Cod Bay or Nantucket Sound. With that said, my dad, my mom’s brothers, and I appreciate your consideration in donating to the upcoming Fairfield County Open Water Swim this June in her memory. We also welcome your participation as volunteers and swimmers at the event as part of Team Tyler, or at other swims across the country.

Lindsay Tyler, Tom Tyler, Brad Anderson, Roy Anderson