'She made the best better’

For many people, Nancy Adrian was the embodiment of the Washington County Fair.

On Monday, the Fair Board dedicated a memorial rock at the fairgrounds to the memory of the longtime county extension director who died in December 2019.

“As we gather for another fair, we do so missing a vital personality of past fairs,” board Secretary Tina Montz said in her dedication speech. “Nancy Adrian, who held the role of our friend, farm wife, mom, grandma, cheerleader, listener, sister, aunt, co-worker, record keeper, dedicated employee, go-to person and a myriad other important roles different for each of us, is not with us this year scooting around the fairgrounds in her Gator.”

Drawing on the 4-H Pledge, Montz said that Adrian still is in their heads, hearts, hands and health.

“Nancy is in our heads as we remember with joy how Nancy thrived during this week, her mind never stopping, always looking for ways to juggle the hundreds of tasks needed to make each fair week better than the best,” Montz said. “She is in our hearts as we pour out the best of us into this week, the love of the fair and the people who make it work, building friendships and memories that we will never forget.”

Montz said that Adrian’s legacy is “making the best better.”

“Nancy’s life was always about making the best better,” Montz said. “The people that passed through her life were forever touched by her endless enthusiasm.

“Her passion for her family and her extended family was unrivaled.”

The memorial rock, which sits on the fairgrounds outside the Round Barn, is inscribed with “She made the best better.”

County 4-H Youth Coordinator Amy Green is Adrian’s daughter.

Green and members of her family were moved by the unveiling of the memorial rock.

“When it’s your mom, it’s just your mom until you see the whole world come out and put such good work together and such a significant ‘it will be here forever’ kind of thing,” Green said. “That’s pretty special. She absolutely loved her job and loved the Fair Board and loved all the people here.

“It’s really heartwarming that they cared enough to make such a thing to be here.”