Nancy Jaffee grew up in Manhattan. She graduated from NYU and worked for ten years at an advertising agency in the account services department. During that time, she was inspired by the artists with whom she worked closely.

In 1989, Jaffee married, and after two of her three children were born, she began to study art at the Rye Arts Center (NY). Once she learned the basics of "seeing," she was hooked and studied full time at the National Academy of Fine Arts and then the Art Students League (NY). Starting with classes in anatomy and life drawing, she later went on to painting.

In 2004, Jaffee moved to Weston, CT and opened a clothing shop called Just Nancy. The boutique was located in Westport. Jaffee closed the store in 2007 due to a decline in the economy and is currently painting full time.

Jaffee's work has been shown at the Mamaroneck Artist Guild members show (2007), the Ridgefield Guild of Artists (CT) Annual Juried Exhibition 2008 and 2009, with an Award for Excellence in 2008 ,the Easton Arts Guild (CT) juried show (2008),  the Westport Arts Center juried exhibit ,(2010) , the Westport Arts Center juried exhibit (2010),the Westport juried exhibit,  Local Art in Sconset Square (2010). She was also part of a group show at the Ridgefield Guild of Artists called Fresh Pics curated by Camilla Cook in 2010.

Her work has been shown and sold in private auctions in NYC, (2010 and 2011).