With great admiration and gratitude, the Dallas Museum of Art remembers and honors the life and legacy of Nancy McMillan Dedman, who passed away on October 8, 2025, at the age of 97. Nancy was a cherished member of our community whose generosity, leadership, and passion for the arts have left an enduring legacy at the Museum. A devoted supporter since 1973, her dedication spanned five decades of meaningful involvement—from her leadership as Co-Chair of the 1980 Beaux Arts Ball to her service as a member of the DMA Board of Trustees from 2016 to 2022. Through her work on the Decorative Arts and Design Committee, Committee on Collections, and Building and Grounds Committee, her roles as Honorary Chair of the 2005 Beaux Arts Ball and the 2020 Silver Supper, and her unwavering commitment to the Museum’s mission, Nancy helped shape the DMA into the vibrant institution it is today.
Nancy’s influence reached well beyond the Museum. For more than 75 years, she and her late husband, Robert, gave generously of their time, talents, and resources, profoundly advancing opportunities in higher education and research at Southern Methodist University. Her dedication to philanthropy extended across Dallas’s cultural and civic landscape; she was a passionate supporter of the Texas Ballet Theater, the AT&T Performing Arts Center, numerous health care and public service organizations, as well as our partners at the Edith O’Donnell Institute for Art History at the University of Texas, Dallas. Deeply committed to uplifting all members of the community, she also served on the boards of the Shelter Ministries of Dallas and The Salvation Army, among many others. Her tireless generosity and spirit of service enriched countless lives and strengthened the city’s cultural and humanitarian foundations.
“Nancy was a true force for good in our community,” said Interim Director Tamara Wootton Forsyth. “Her visionary leadership, generosity of spirit, and steadfast dedication enriched the Dallas Museum of Art in countless ways. We are profoundly grateful for the many gifts she shared with us and know that her legacy will continue to inspire. We will remember her with deep affection and gratitude for the extraordinary and lasting impact she has made on our institution.”
The Dallas Museum of Art is deeply grateful for Nancy Dedman’s vision, generosity, and friendship. We honor her legacy within the DMA and celebrate the profound ways she helped shape the arts community in Dallas and beyond.