IN HONOR OF NANCY EASTERBROOK A VOID THE SIZE OF THE OCEAN Nancy was beacon of love and strength for Margo Peyton
It’s with great sadness and a heavy heart that I share that the world lost one of the most incredible women in the diving industry and in my life today— Nancy Easterbrook was a radiant soul whose light touched everyone she met. Nancy wasn’t just a pioneer in the dive industry; she was a beacon of love, strength, and unwav- ering kindness. As the devoted wife to Jay Easterbrook and the loving mother to Walker and Brandy, she poured her heart into every- thing she did, creating a legacy that feels like an embrace from the ocean itself. Her passing leaves a void and space in my heart that words can barely describe. Today I feel her warmth all over again, wrapping around me like the gentle currents she so masterfully navigated. Nancy was my mentor, my guide, my sea sister in the deep blue. From the moment I started Kids Sea Camp, she saw the spark in my dream and fanned it into a flame. She invited me back to my home, Grand Cayman, with open arms, and together we built our very first Cayman Islands Kids Sea Camp in 2005. She started our first Seal Team program in 2007, and she believed in my program that would introduce thousands of children to the wonders of the ocean. Her belief in kids and diving was infectious; she championed me continuously to PADI, the media, and the Cayman Islands Depart- ment of Tourism, helping me grow what began as a mother’s passion into a global movement. For 15 years, you were my rock, my guiding light and my champion, turning Kids Sea Camp into a haven where families could thrive. Nancy, the joy you brought—the people you connected and loved, the way you’d incorpo- rate and bring together so many moving parts, Cayman Pirates performances that had the kids squealing with delight, or bring in Sponge- Bob SquarePants from the Harlequin Theatre to make learning feel like play. Those treasure hunts you created? They weren’t just games; they were portals to wonder, teaching kids to cherish the sea while forging bonds that lasted
lifetimes. As the founder and owner of Dive Tech— the first female-owned dive operation in the Cayman Islands—you shattered ceilings with grace and grit. You pioneered technical div- ing, rebreathers, and breath-hold free diving, co-authoring training manuals that set new standards. And who could forget your tireless work to bring the Kittiwake wreck to Grand Cayman? You fought for it, ensured it was sunk there, creating a underwater playground that draws divers from around the world. Nancy, you didn’t just dive—you dove into life with everything you had, always innovat- ing, always pushing boundaries. But beyond the accolades, Nancy, you were my personal North Star. You taught me and so many oth- ers to free dive, guiding me through breaths and depths that opened my soul as much as the sea. More than that, you helped me become a better mother, wife, and businesswoman. In those quiet moments over coffee or on the boat deck, you’d share your wisdom—how to stand tall in a male-dominated industry, how to believe in my vision when doubts crept in. I was so profoundly honored to sponsor you for the Women Divers Hall of Fame; your induction was a celebration of everything you embodied. And last year, when I was inducted into the Cayman Islands International Scuba Diving Hall of Fame, there you were, cheer- ing me on with that warmest of smiles, your presence a reminder that true friends lift each other higher. Nancy Easterbrook had a special place in my son Robbie’s heart, too. He spent a transformative summer with you and Jay, living under your roof like family. She and her hus- band Jay took him under their wing, teaching him the ins and outs of running a dive shop, guiding him to become a PADI instructor. They treated him like a son, showing him not just how to dive, but how to live with passion and purpose. Robbie carries those lessons with him every day, and for that, my gratitude knows no bounds. Nancy’s creativ- ity was boundless. From pizza and popcorn,
bonfire nights with toasted marshmallows, and taking the littlest kids to Sting Ray City, she made life fun. You brought artist Ron Rogest to Kids Sea Camp, where he taught the kids to paint dots that told stories of marine environments— turning art into a powerful tool for education and conservation. And that incredible turtle release program you implemented? Purchasing turtles from the farm, tagging them with the children, and setting them free into the sea—it was pure magic. Those moments weren’t just activities; they were heartbeats of hope, inspiring kids to become guardians of the ocean. You made conservation feel personal, joyful, and alive. Nancy, always with her big heart and that warmest, most contagious smile, you were love inside and out—a living embodiment of grace and generosity. She always paid it forward without a second thought, never asking for anything for herself in return. She lived by “we, not me,” show- ing the world that true strength comes from lifting others. She was a pillar of endurance, guiding us through storms with quiet resolve. Endless in her support, she believed in people before they believed in themselves. I will forever be grateful for the ways you shaped Kids Sea Camp, for the love you poured into every child, every dive, every friendship. Nancy, the world feels a lot less bright without you! Your legacy dives on—in every young diver you inspired, every reef you protected, every heart you touched. I will miss you for the rest of my life, my dear friend. I will carry your spirit with me, deep in the blue where you belong. Rest in peace, knowing you made the ocean—and our lives—infinitely richer. With deepest love and eternal gratitude, my heart goes out to her family and all those left behind who loved her more than the world will ever know. Nancy left the ocean on October 10, 2025
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