June 30, 1945 – May 1, 2023
The man asked me, “What should I list as your wife’s occupation?”
So I said, “waitress, counselor, nanny, handyman. Chef, cleaning lady, seamstress, interior decorator, chauffeur. Doctor, nurse, psychiatrist, maid, referee. Personal assistant, teacher, meal planner, laundress, cuddler. Diplomat, concierge, dream catcher, family therapist. Trouble shooter, fixer, life coach. Hair stylist, personal shopper, fashion consultant, chief financial officer. Accountant, bookkeeper, sleep coach, travel agent, crisis negotiator. Driving instructor, dog walker, party planner, hostess, caterer, dietician. Housekeeper, child care worker, cheerleader, tutor. Gardener, janitor, repairman, costume designer, and wedding planner.
He said, “I can’t fit all that into this little space.”
I said, “OK, just write in MOTHER. That’s what Nanci was. A mother. The hardest, most demanding, most important job in the world.” And she was one of the best mothers ever.”
Nanci took such pride in what she did, every day and every night. The accomplishments
of her four children – Amy (Chuck), Bob (Janelle), Danny, and Katie (Max) – and her eight grandchildren – Kyle, Matthew, Mollie, Jack, Jessica, Nicco, Matteo, and Mia – are a testament to her dedication, love, and devotion to doing what a mother does best – care for her family. Even when she volunteered her time, she wanted to take in foster children. And work at Ronald McDonald House helping families. And be a baby cuddler at Stanford, for so many years. That’s why our daughters called her “the baby whisperer”.
All this, plus being a wonderful wife, soulmate, lover, and best friend to the luckiest man in the world. When I asked her to marry me on our first date after she had just turned 14, she looked at me like I was crazy. But I knew. Oh, how I knew!
We will all miss her. But she will still be alive, everyday, in all of us as we go about doing everything she taught us how to do. And she will be looking down on us, still guiding, and cheering, and taking great pride and happiness in the wonderful family she helped create.
Viewing is on Monday, May 8th from 4-8 with storytelling between 6-730 with a Funeral Mass on Tuesday, May 9th at 11am at Our Lady of the Wayside Church in Portola Valley.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Saint Francis Center, Redwood City, CA.