We are pleased to support one of Marshall Community Foundation's newest funds, and its first fund specifically directed toward animal well-being. The WANDA NASH MEMORIAL FUND has been established to assist non-profit organizations in their efforts to protect and provide for the animals in our society. The Fund will issue monies to groups who educate and advocate for the well being of the animals who live our lives with us. When you see a need for vaccinations, educational materials, or the preservation of animals, please recommend the Wanda Nash Memorial Fund. And when you think of Wanda, please consider a donation in her memory. Contact the Wanda Nash Memorial Fund c/o The Marshall Community Foundation at 124 West Michigan Ave, Suite 202 Marshall, MI 49068 or (269) 781-2273.

Wanda Nash, Attorney and Author of the "Michigan Animal Rescue Sourcebook"

Ms. Nash became an attorney in order to gain recognition for Animal Law. Ms. Nash attended the Thomas M. Cooley Law School and after being admitted to the Michigan State Bar, she worked in the Calhoun County Prosecutors office. Subsequently, Ms. Nash served for 5 years as the Legislative Aide to State Representative Bill Martin. Thereafter, Ms. Nash worked in the Calhoun County Prosecutor's Office, Child Support Division.

Ms. Nash dedicated her life to improving the lives of children and animals. She owned Four Paws Publishing which published the Michigan Animal Rescue Sourcebook, which ran for 12 Editions. The purpose of this book was to "re-home" animals. It started as the Pure Bred Dog Rescue Sourcebook but was expanded to include all "companion animals."

Ms. Nash authored numerous articles concerning animal welfare, and she compiled and edited The Michigan Animal Handbook. Ms. Nash also authored the Michigan Field Guide to Animal Control and Animal Protection. That is a pocket-sized pamphlet that can be carried in the field and referred to on-site.

Ms. Nash was the founding member of Attorney for Animals as well as the Animal Law Section of the State Bar of Michigan. Ms. Nash was also a former Chairperson of the Animal Law Section of the State Bar of Michigan. In addition, she served on the Boards of numerous Animal Advocacy Groups and was a font of Animal Law information.

In a nutshell, Ms. Nash was been the driving force in Michigan Animal Law for decades.

Wanda died on May 8, 2008

WANDA NASH, Esquire – A Lady Who Rocked The World

By: Catherine Wolfe

Several years ago a young woman was complaining to me that she was bored because there was nothing to do in her community. I suggested that she volunteer for a charity — that helping others would not only help them, but would help her develop a sense of self-worth. It would also make the world a better place.

She looked at me and said, "One person can't make a difference." I was dumb-founded. Since meeting Wanda for the first time approximately 20 years ago, I have taken for granted the fact that one person can make a difference. Wanda changed the course of my life and the lives of countless others (both people and animals) with her compelling, and uncompromising spirit and love. The numbers are countless because she was a force that caused a ripple effect that grows greater every minute of every day. Her life may have ended, but her spirit and love live on in those of us who knew her, and grows as we pass her spirit and love onto others — it increases exponentially, and that is the way she would have wanted it.

Wanda loved people and animals — passionately. She took classes from Judge Schnelz for whom I worked for years. He was so impressed with Wanda that he insisted that I contact her about our mutual interest in animals. His words, "Call Wanda Nash" changed my life. I did as he said and was soon over my head in animal issues and causes.

Wanda was a kindred spirit and I am honored to have accompanied her on part of her journey through life. I must confess that many of the projects Wanda undertook, I never thought would succeed. However, she had vision and drive that most people lack, myself included. All her life she envisioned a world that was kinder towards people and animals and no one I know worked harder to make that vision a reality, and succeeded most of the time. The changes she affected with her vision and spirit are profound. I can speak from personal experience — she made me believe that I could do anything I set my mind to. As a result, I have done more than I ever thought possible. She always pushed me gently but firmly, and was always there to catch me when I fell.

Winston Churchill believed that there is no such thing as history, only biographies. Having known Wanda, I now believe that as well. People such as Wanda Nash have changed the world throughout the ages, and although she now belongs to the ages, Wanda lives on in our hearts and minds. May she rest in peace.

It is so often frustrating to describe someone as special as Wanda, to those who did not know her. I wrote my own tribute to her above. After writing it, her husband showed me a 30 year old advertisement that their local humane society ran seeking to fill the position Wanda had vacated to pursue a career in law. This is the best summation of her character that I can imagine.

WANTED

Volunteer to replace Calhoun County Humane Society member Wanda Nash. Must be ambitious, kind and generous. In addition to regular job as secretary, other duties include writing congressmen and keeping board informed on current legislation, opening home to four-legged friends, organizing Tag Day in Marshall, taking full responsibility of setting up a Calhoun County Fair booth, taking charge of the cat vaccine program, taking insults from trappers, writing intelligent letters defending our point of view, working Saturdays at the Humane Society Animal Shelter, giving monthly contributions to the neutering fund, and supplying shelter cats with ear mite medicine. Apply in person to Calhoun County Humane Society president. If individual unavailable, a committee of 10 or more will be accepted.

I rest my case - she was a GREAT person!

To read Wanda's 2005 Homily please click here: http://episcoveg.weblogger.com/homily-10-23-05-by-wanda-nash-posted-with-her-permission/

To learn more about the Marshall Community Foundation please click here: www.marshallcf.org