Nancy Thayer Andrews' life began in 1919, shrouded in the complexities of her parents' unconventional relationship. Born to Elaine Thayer, then legally married to Scofield Thayer, and e.e.cummings, Nancy's early years were shaped by a unique dynamic. Though Scofield Thayer provided financial security, Cummings, her biological father, remained a distant figure. This separation, coupled with the emotional complexities of her parents' lives, deeply influenced Nancy. Until Cummings married Elaine in 1924, Nancy lived largely apart from him, fostering a sense of absence that would become a defining theme in her life.

The dissolution of her parents' marriage and the subsequent efforts by Elaine and her new husband, Frank McDermott, to erase Cummings from Nancy's life created a profound void. Nancy grew up unaware of her true parentage, raised believing Scofield Thayer was her father. Her childhood was marked by a series of governesses and boarding schools, a life of privilege yet emotional detachment. Despite this, she developed a keen interest in art and music, foreshadowing her later artistic expression. The onset of World War II brought her to the United States, where she began to build a life of her own, marrying Willard Roosevelt, grandson of Theodore Roosvelt, 26th President of the United States of America, and starting a family.

The revelation of Cummings' true identity in 1948 marked a turning point. Nancy began sitting for portraits by Cummings. During one session, in Marion’s absence, Nancy directly asked about her "father," Scofield Thayer. Cummings then revealed that he was her biological father, a revelation that both shocked and bewildered her. Nancy, who had always believed Thayer was her father, struggled to reconcile this new reality. Cummings, though forthcoming about their shared history and his past relationship with Elaine, discouraged her from calling him "father," preferring "Estlin."

Ironically, Ram's mother would insist on being called by her first name, Ioanna, whilst 'Natty' and 'Papu' insisted on being called mother and baba. Ram's prevention from addressing his mother as 'mother' or 'mama' was an ancestral repetition of the familial struggle with reconciliation. 

Cummings, emotionally reserved and guarded by his wife Marion, struggled to fully embrace his role as a father. Their relationship remained complex, a mixture of love and distance. Nancy, determined to understand her past, persevered, attending his events and sharing her own poetry, seeking a connection that had been denied her for so long.

Nancy's life took another significant turn with her marriage to Kevin Andrews in 1954, leading to a move to Greece. The separation from Kevin and her subsequent relocation to London prompted her to explore her identity through art and writing. In 1977, she published "Charon's Daughter: A Passion of Identity," a collection of poems and paintings that served as a deeply personal exploration of her life. The book, published under the name Nancy Cummings de Fôret, used symbolism and allusions to delve into themes of absence, identity, and the search for meaning. The figure of Charon, the ferryman of the dead, represented the absence of her father, and the swan image evoked a cherished memory. Through her art, Nancy sought to piece together the fragments of her past, creating a narrative that was both personal and universal.

Nancy Thayer Andrews' life story is a testament to the enduring power of identity and the human capacity for resilience. Her journey, marked by absence and discovery, ultimately led her to find her voice through artistic expression. She transformed personal pain into a powerful narrative, leaving behind a legacy that explores the complex interplay between memory, identity, and art.