Sarasota County Commission Vice Chair Nancy C. Detert dies

SARASOTA, Fla. (WWSB) - Sarasota County has announced the death of Sarasota County Commission Vice Chair Nancy C. Detert.

“It is with deepest regret and sadness that Sarasota County and the Board of County Commissioners must acknowledge the death of our dear friend and colleague Sarasota County Commission Vice Chair Nancy C. Detert,” read a Twitter post from the county.

Detert passed away peacefully at home Wednesday, the county said.

Detert, a Republican, was elected to the Sarasota County Commission in 2016 and subsequently re-elected in 2020. She served as Vice Chair in 2017, Chair in 2018, and was serving as Vice Chair in 2023.

Sarasota County Sheriff Kurt Hoffman released a statement calling Detert “a true public servant ... She leaves behind a legacy of public service as a school board member, senator, state representative and county commissioner.”

Christian Ziegler, the state chair of the Florida GOP, noted Deter’s passing, saying he served with her on the county commission for four years. “She was a refreshing elected official, always willing to stay strong to her principles and she never hesitated to tell you EXACTLY what she thought.”

Manatee County Commissioner Vanessa Baugh also tweeted: “It is a sad day, we have lost a faithful leader! I had the honor of knowing Nancy years before I ran for office. She was a great public servant and will be truly missed!”

According to her biography on the county’s website, Detert represented the Commission on First Step of Sarasota, Airport Advisory Commission, Gulf Consortium, Bay Park Improvement Board, Sarasota Consortium Affordable Housing Advisory Committee, Tourist Development Council, and Venice Main Street, and previously served on the Economic Development Council, Canvassing Board, and the Sarasota-Manatee Metropolitan Planning Organization.

Detert served in the Florida House of Representatives (1998-2006) and Florida Senate (2008-2016). Her other public service includes the Sarasota County School Board (1988-1992), Enterprise Florida Board of Directors (2009) and the Florida Commission on Tourism (2009).

Born and raised in Chicago, Detert attended Siena Heights University in Michigan. She moved to Florida in 1978 with her husband and three sons. She started Osprey Mortgage Company and ran it for 25 years in Venice. Detert was related to Charles Carroll, a signer of the Declaration of Independence.

Her family includes three children and nine grandchildren.

Detert received numerous awards, and was involved in numerous pieces of legislation, most notably a bill that extends foster care from age 18 to 21, the Nancy Detert Caring and Compassionate Act.

Honors and Awards

City of Venice, Pillar of the Community Award, 2015.
Florida Chamber of Commerce, Distinguished Advocate Award, 2015.
Florida League of Cities, Legislative Distinction Award, 2014.
Big Brothers Big Sisters, Legislator of the Year Award, 2014.
Guardian ad Litem, Children’s Champion, 2014.
Sarasota County Community Youth Development, Leadership Award, 2014.
Arts & Cultural Alliance of Sarasota County, Arts Education Leadership Award, 2014
Florida PTA’s Legislator of the Year, 2013
Florida Bar Trial Lawyers Section Champion of Justice Independence Award, 2011
Sarasota County Bar Association Distinguished Service Award, 2010-2011
Associated Builders & Contractors, Inc., FL Gulf Coast Chapter, ABC “Free Enterprise” Award, 2010.
Florida Music Educators’ Association, Friend of Music Education Award, 2010.
Florida Art Education Association, Friend of Art Education Award, 2009.
Associated Builders and Contractors, Inc., Friend of Free Enterprise, 2009.
Florida School Boards Association, Inc., Legislator of the Year, 2009, 2002, 1999.
Florida Association of Conventions and Visitors Bureaus, Legislator of the Year, 2004.
Florida Economic Development Council, Inc., Legislator of the Year Award, 2004.
Florida Housing Coalition, Legislator of the Year, 2004, 2003.
National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences, Florida Chapter, “Florida Heroes Awards”, 2004.
Sarasota Office of Housing and Community Development Award, 2004.
Florida Association of Museums, Museum Service Award, 2003.
Florida Bankers Association, Leadership Award, 2003.
Florida Boys and Girls Club, Recognition of Service, 2002.
Florida Funeral Directors, Legislator of the Year, 2002.
Funeral and Cemetery Alliance of Florida, Outstanding Legislator of the Year, 2002.
Florida Association of Mortgage Brokers, Legislator of the Year, 2001.
Florida Association of Technical Educators, Legislator of the Year, 2001.
Ranked by The Miami Herald as one of the Top 25 State Legislators for her “sound policy objectives and behind the scenes work”
Big Brothers Big Sisters, Legislator of the Year, 2000
Florida Association of School Administrators, Legislator of the Year, 2000.
Girls, Inc., “She Knows Where She’s Going” Award, 2000
Gulf Coast Marine Institute, Legislator of the Year, 2000
Sarasota Classified/Teachers Association, Legislator of the Year, 2000.
Florida Association of School Social Workers, Legislator of the Year, 1999.
Women of Distinction, Award for Finance, 1998
Venice Area Chamber of Commerce, Small Business of the Year Award, 1993.