Well, I cannot possibly go backwards and begin where I left off back in July with this blog, perhaps throughout the blog in the weeks to come, I'll post some of the pics......Right now, I'll just begin where we are today.....
Life was moving along, quite nicely I may add back in July. Then, slowly, things started shifting in the middle of this past summer....parents began to fail quickly and time seemed to be running out. Dick and I found ourselves, many times, driving to Visalia to check in on his parents. To make a very long story short.....and to acknowledge two amazing people in our lives, and to post just for the record....Dick's father William Penn Nash, 90, passed on July 27, 2011 and his mother, Jane Higgins Nash passed on September 30, 2011 - 65 days apart.
A tribute to them both with their obituaries:
William Penn Nash, Jr. was born on September 13, 1920 in San Francisco, CA and at the age of 2, moved to Visalia and resided here 88 years until he passed away peacefully on July 27, 2011. Bill was a graduate of Visalia Union High School class of 1937, Visalia Junior College and received his B.A from Stanford University in 1942. During his years at Stanford Bill was a member of the Sigma Chi Fraternity and served as team manager for the ’42 Stanford basketball team that won the NCAA National Championship. After graduation from Stanford Bill served as a purser pharmacists mate in the Merchant Marines during World War II. After the war Bill returned to Visalia and formed a partnership with M.R. Siglie in a general insurance agency, which began a 40-year career.
In 1950, Bill married Jane Higgins and began a love affair that endured 60+ years. In addition to being survived by his wife, Bill left behind his sister Marilyn Hadley and family, two sons David and Richard, daughters in law Morri and Barbara, and grandchildren Lindsay and husband Jeff Schuil, Piper, and Taylor.
Bill loved Visalia and was always active in the community. He enjoyed helping people and served as past president of the Visalia 20-30 Club, Visalia Rotary Club, Tulare–Kings Civic Music Association, Tulare Counties Association of Independent Insurance Agents, the Visalia HEAR Foundation and Visalia Lodge #128 of Free and Accepted Masons. He also served as a member of numerous organizations including the Visalia Junior Chamber of Commerce, the City of Visalia Recreation & Parks Department Board, the Visalia Dancing Club, the Visalia Country Club and the First Presbyterian Church.
After retirement, Bill’s greatest pleasure came from serving 26 years as a tutor for the Visalia Adult School. His contribution to the Adult school along with his many other contributions led to Bill’s honor as being selected Visalia’s “Man of the Year” in 2008.
Bill’s love for his family, friends and for Visalia will be missed but his humor and antics will be remembered by everyone that knew him.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the First Presbyterian Church of Visalia, the 210 Center or the charity of their choice.
Jane Higgins Nash, recently widowed wife of William P. Nash, Jr., has died unexpectantly from a brain hemorrhage on Sept. 30, 2011 at age 83. Jane, the only child of Decatur Higgins and Mabel Green Higgins, was a loving, caring, devoted daughter, wife, mother, grandmother and friend. Jane was born in Visalia on December 19, 1927 and enjoyed her early youth on North Willis St. in the company of friends and families of "old Visalia". She was adored by her parents, particularly her father, and was always to be Daddy's Girl. Visalia was her playground and a wonderful community in which to grow.
Elementary years were at Highland School, then Visalia Union High, and onto Holmby College in Los Angeles prior to finishing her college education at UCLA, with a degree in Art History. While at UCLA, she joined the Alpha Phi sorority and served as house president her senior year. Jane's love of art, architecture and landscape gardening stayed with her throughout her entire life. Sunset magazine, House Beautiful and Better Homes & Garden magazines were always on the coffee table. She was also blessed with a flair for flower arranging and her greatest pleasure came from gardening in her yard. Her sense of style with fashion remained unchanged throughout her life: gloves, a hat, and/or a scarf were part of most every outfit. She was schooled on appropriate "Emily Post" conduct for young women by her mother. Jane gifted her sons and grandchildren with these "wisdoms" during their upbringing.
Jane Higgins and Bill Nash, Jr. married Aug. 23, 1950 and began a 60 year partnership of love and respect, fun, family and world travel. Their togetherness fostered two sons: David (1951) and Richard (1955). Jane was the ideal 1950's and 60's mom: P.T.A., Cub Scouts den mother, Indian Guide, Little League, Y Summer Camp, etc. She was a fabulous cook and enjoyed entertaining and hosting others in their home.
Jane was also an astute businesswoman. Her parents left her numerous properties, which she and Bill later developed. Later on, after her boys had grown, Jane's love of architecture and interior design propelled her into the residential real estate business. Her love of Visalia and helping others find the perfect home was a great combination that led to a wonderful career for over 20 years. Jane's lifetime love affair with Visalia fostered an ongoing passion for historical preservation and she was an active member of the Visalia Heritage.
Jane was also recognized as a noted historian. Civic minded, Jane was a member of many organizations including P.E.O. sisterhood, Panhellenic, and the Las Madrinas Guild. Jane was involved with many charities and provided financial support to many organizations. Jane was a lifelong member of the Visalia First Presbyterian Church. Always making sacrifices for others, Jane's Christian faith was best demonstrated through her loving heart, giving nature, and daily prayers said for family, friends, community and country.
Jane was surrounded by her family when she departed this life to join her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. She now resides again with her husband Bill and all of her family and friends that passed on before her. Mourning her loss, she leaves behind sons David and Richard, daughters-in-law Morri and Barbara, grandchildren Lindsay and husband Jeff Schuil, Piper, and Taylor, and sister-in- law Marilyn Hadley and her loving family. The family will hold a private service. On Friday, November 11th at 11:30 am there will be a "Celebration of Life" reception held at the Visalia Country Club in Jane's honor. It is the family's hope that everyone that knew Jane would come and share with us at that time.
Lastly, the family requests that any donations in Jane's memory be made to the Visalia Heritage Inc.: PO Box 216, Visalia, CA 93279. Arrangements by Miller Memorial Chapel, Visalia, CA.
Words cannot possibly describe what our hearts are feeling. But, we keep coming back to: We just know they were always meant to be together. Dick likes to think, "After two months in heaven, Bill was being soooooo annoying to God that God finally said, "OK, I've had it with this guy! The only one that can get him under control is his wife of 60 years!"....and called Janey home.
Here are a few of our favorite recent photos:
Hawaii 2007
We were playing 'Password' after dinner. Us against Them. Here is Jane, whispering her word.
In Carmel, August 2010, celebrating their 60th wedding anniversary. Morri, Jane and I.
Taylor giving his grandmother a kiss at Pismo Beach.
Teaching Taylor about the Orange Grove.
Poopa, always the 'HAM'!
They were going to a party, all dressed up! What a pair!
See, always the HAM! hahaha!! A morning at our house. They loved our house, and they loved Gabby too. Poopa would say, "This is not a dog, she is a human!!" hahaha
We'll forever carry what they've taught and gave to us in our hearts and Thank God for their lives. We smile a GREAT BIG smile when we think of them both, in heaven, with young, healthy bodies, celebrating with Jesus for all eternity.
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