Nancy Francis

Nancy Francis passed away while working in her patio garden on July 5, 2024 in Napa Valley, CA, at age 92. She was born in Glendale, CA and was a graduate of Hoover High School. She completed her B.A. at Pomona College. After spending time in Athens, GA and Seattle, WA, as a US Navy military spouse she worked for several years in Palo Alto, CA, to put her husband through law school. Nancy settled back in Southern California, where she raised her three children Kerry (Healdsburg, CA), David (Wooster, OH), and Robin (Napa, CA). She later moved to Oakland to be closer to her daughters, and then to the Meadows of Napa Valley where she lived independently in her final years. She leaves grandchildren Garrett (US Navy, San Diego, CA), Carrington (Bozeman, MT), Isabel (Columbus, OH), Silvia (Oakland, CA), and Lia (San Francisco, CA and New York, NY), in addition to a wide network of friends and extended family. Nancy was known for her ability to keep people together and as a matchmaker of connections. Once someone was in her circle, they were added to her birthday and anniversary address book, which she used to maintain relationships through phone calls, cards, newsletters, and news clippings that she thought would be of interest to the recipient (affectionately called “homework” by her grandchildren). She diligently kept generations of family and friends connected through her annual Christmas letter. Friendships meant a great deal to Nancy. At the recent passing of a dear long-time friend, she remarked “at least I still have the capacity to make new friends.” She was considered a second mom by many, and over the years opened her home as a landing pad to many young adults. She loved to play tennis and was a devoted supporter of museums and theatre. In her middle years she was a volunteer extraordinaire, dedicating time and energy to the American Field Service, the Assistance League, the Lanterman House Museum, the Oakland Museum of California, and the Oakland Architectural Society. She also loved to travel, often recruiting friends to accompany her on adventures to far corners of the globe, and sometimes tagged along with her children and grandchildren on their own escapades. She had a reputation for hosting exquisite holiday events and meals. She loved to celebrate, and embraced any chance she could to bring people together. She loved to cook and eat good food and to drink good wine. She cherished many meals with family and friends throughout her life, and wished that her life be celebrated with a wine party. Services and a celebration of life will be planned for a future date. Donations in Nancy’s name may be made to a charity of your choice or one of the following: Lanterman House 4420 Encinas Drive La Cañada, CA 91011 https://www.lantermanhouse.org/ 818-790-1421 Pomona College 333 N. College Way Claremont, CA 91711 https://www.pomona.edu/support-pomona 909-607-6096 Oakland Museum of California 1000 Oak St Oakland, CA 94607 https://museumca.org/ (see donate tab) 510-318-8400

Nancy Francis

May 12, 1932 - July 5, 2024

Navigation

Contact Us

Nancy Francis

May 12, 1932 - July 5, 2024

Obituary Notification

Navigation

Contact Us