We at NACoA are deeply saddened by the passing of our longtime friend and colleague, Nan Tower Reynolds. Nan was a pioneer in the development of family-centered care within treatment settings. A skilled counselor, educator, and compassionate leader, she spent the majority of her career supporting the families and friends of individuals with substance use disorders—long before this was widely recognized as essential.
Nan helped shape NACoA’s earliest resources, including contributing to the development of the original Children’s Program Kit with Jerry Moe. She offered critical insight and guidance on our early tools for parents, and was always generous with her time and wisdom as a go to colleague for the past NACoA CEO Sis Wenger.
She was a powerful voice for healing and recovery, especially for children and families. Nan continued that mission in retirement by writing a book to help families better understand and navigate the impact of addiction.
She was an unsung hero, grounded in deep compassion and commitment. Her legacy lives on in the thousands of lives touched through the programs she helped build and the families she supported directly.She was a powerful voice for healing and recovery, especially for children and families. Nan continued that mission in retirement by writing a book to help families better understand and navigate the impact of addiction.
“Nan and I had been colleagues for the greater part of 30 years,” said NACoA CEO Denise Bertin-Epp. “She was truly one of the finest, most candid, caring, and fun-loving people I’ve ever known. There will never be another Nan.”
We are so grateful for her friendship, her leadership, and her unwavering belief in the possibility of healing for children and families seeking recovery. In her honor, gifts may be made to Homestead Recovery in Boone, NC.
