Meet Nancy Rodrique
Nancy was born in Indianapolis, Indiana and grew up in Lafayette, Indiana. She graduated from Purdue University with a Bachelor of Science degree in landscape architecture. She moved from Indiana to Michigan and finally to Norfolk to be closer to her sister.
Nancy started working for a Parks and Recreation department and then shifted her focus to K-12 school site design with a specialty in playground design, after which she worked for a planning/engineering firm on a range of projects from design standards, streetscapes, commercial and industrial sites, and parks. Her last focus was on public health facilities and healing gardens. She retired after 48 years in her field.
She joined the Norfolk Master Gardener class of 2026 because she wanted to change her focus from planning to planting. She was interested in acquiring more information about community gardens.
Nancy enjoyed the classes and thought they were well organized with detailed text and engaging speakers. While some of the material was a review for her, it had been a long time since she sat in a classroom. It was informative for her to relearn some things she had forgotten and new things to expand her knowledge in a hands-on planting approach. She liked the class size and the opportunity to learn more about her classmates. She was a little sad when the classes ended.
To reach the required fifty hours, Nancy worked at the plant sale, seed starting with Little Creek Elementary School, East Ocean View Children’s Garden, the Zoo Garden, and the Fred Heutte Square Foot Garden. Now that she is certified, she plans to continue with many of the same projects but will try something new each year.
Nancy organized a community vegetable garden at her church, Miles Memorial United Methodist Church. She plans the garden each year and organizes the youth group to assist with the planting. She harvests the vegetables and fruit every Wednesday for the community breakfast that is provided by the church. Vegetables and fruit that are not used for the breakfast are donated to a neighborhood food pantry to help families in need. She is a member of the Ocean View Lions Club, and it is with their support she has been able to get assistance with watering and backing to apply for grants to start the garden with its system of rain barrels.
Nancy’s other interest is music; she plays the clarinet in three bands—the Tidewater Concert Band, a jazz band, and a praise band at her church. She enjoys pottery classes at the recreation center, works on small quilting projects, enjoys quiet time with a good book, and sitting in her garden.
Nancy has two children: Jen, who lives in Barcelona, and her son Thomas who is married to Alexis. She is Mema to her sweet granddaughters, Mila and Lola. She comes from a big family and is close to her siblings. There have been several fun adventures traveling with her daughter, Jen, in Europe. She has a sweet rescue pup, Brownie, who is aging but still up for a morning walk every day.
When you see Nancy, be sure to introduce yourself and welcome her to the Norfolk Ext
