Gloria Jean Haywood Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

Gloria “Jean” Tyther Haywood Jean Haywood, 86, died peacefully on December 30, 2012 in the loving home of her son and daughter-in-law, Mark and Kimberly Haywood. Jean was always proud of her heritage. She was born on February 22, 1926 to Joseph Tyther and Ivy Page Tyther. Her father operated Napa County’s first beer distributorship, J.C. Tyther Distributing. She was the descendent of two-old time Napa Valley families. Her paternal grandfather, Richard Tyther, came to Napa in 1855 and worked at the Oak Knoll Ranch for three years planting most of the trees and vines that covered that 600-acre tract. During that time, Mr. Tyther purchased 50 acres of the land near the Oak Knoll Ranch. He established the first nursery in the valley, Dry Creek Orchard, building up and maintaining a reputation for first class goods and for years supplying all the neighboring counties with trees and vines. He also owned and operated the Fruit and Vegetable Market opposite the Napa Motel on Main Street. In 1958, Oak Knoll Farms was selected as one of the best-cultivated farm properties in the state. Her maternal grandparents, Mr. & Mrs. Z.D. Page, came to California in 1905 and bought the Van Winkle property located a mile south of Yountville. Soon after the purchase of the ranch they purchased and planted six date palm trees, two of which are still standing at what was the entrance to the family home. Jean’s mother and father inherited the ranch where they raised Jean and her sister, Nancy Tyther Monte. She grew up in Yountville and attended Yountville Grammar School. She graduated as a lifetime member of the Honor Society from Napa Union High School in 1944 and with honors from Napa Junior College in 1946. She married Frank Haywood on May 11, 1947 and they had five children. Her greatest joy was bragging about her children’s accomplishments. The family spent most of their summers fishing and winters skiing while at the family cabin in the Sierras. Jean and Frank divorced in 1974. Jean continued to work as a medical transcriber at Napa State Hospital for 20 years. In the early 80’s she met the “love of her life,” Dan Nyhan. They loved to argue politics, tease each other mercilessly, ride bikes, drink coffee, and drive to the coast. They bought a sailboat and Dan named it Gloria Jean, keeping it birthed in San Francisco. They spent many beautiful days on the bay. They loved and laughed for 20 glorious years. After Dan’s death she loved to hang out at the Browns Valley Yogurt and Espresso Bar, where she could be found reading several newspapers, drinking coffee and debating with the young kids who worked there. The rest of the time she was seen driving her car all over Napa while craning her neck to check out what was going on around town. For the past year and a half she lived with Mark and Kim due to complications from a stroke. She was cared for by Mark, Kim, and her fabulous caregiver Araceli Hernanadez. She and Araceli became great friends and took many adventures. Jean had always dreamed of sitting at an outdoor café in Paris drinking coffee, and was able to fulfill that dream this past February. She was preceded in death by her sons Curtis and Ty Haywood, and her companion Dan Nyhan. She is survived by her daughters Renee (Mark) Diekroetger and Jill (Tom) Cadloni of Napa; her son Mark (Kim) Haywood of Napa; her daughter-in-law Bambi Haywood of Fernandina Beach, Florida; her eight grandchildren Danielle (John) Stewart, Ashley, Breanna, and Brittani Haywood, Genelle and Rebecca Cadloni, Chris Berg and John Callanan; her great-granddaughter Micheala Berg; her caregiver and best friend Araceli Hernandez; her sister Nancy (Ray) Monte; and her dog Brody. A memorial service will be held at Claffey and Rota Funeral Home on Saturday, January 12th at 2 pm. Interment immediately following at the family plot at Tulocay Cemetery. Donations in Jean’s memory may be sent to the Napa Valley Hospice & Adult Day Services, 414 South Jefferson Street, Napa, CA 94559-4515. Condolences to the family may be left at claffeyandrota.com.

Gloria Jean Haywood

February 22, 1926 - December 30, 2012

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Gloria Jean Haywood

February 22, 1926 - December 30, 2012

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