Nancy Wrenn Pollard's Obituary
With very heavy hearts we announce the passing of Nancy W. Pollard. Nancy died peacefully at her home on November 15, 2023, in Union City, CA at the age of 92, with her daughter, Anne, and Anne’s husband, Werner, by her side.
Nancy is survived by her children, Anne Pauselius, her husband, Werner, Chris Pollard, Kitty Pollard-Pollak, her husband Craig, and Will Pollard, grandchildren, Jason (Julie) and Courtney Jackson (Christopher), Joshua and Holly Pauselius and Zachery (Michelle) and Madeline Pollard; as well as five great grandchildren: Julian (7) and Jameson (3) Pollak, Carter (4) and Cole (1 month) Jackson, and Kennedy Grace (3 weeks) Pollard. She was preceded in death by her parents, Colonel Theodore Woodward, Jr. and Margaret Middendorf Wrenn, and 3 siblings, Sarah, Billy, and Ted.
Nancy was born on September 7, 1931, in Andalusia AL. She attended various elementary schools and graduated from East High School in Denver CO. Nancy was a bright and perspicacious child who delighted her father by solving complex mathematical problems during their evening walks, all without Google or a calculator. Her intellect, interests and abilities lead her to the University of Colorado-Boulder, where she was one of only a few females to pursue a degree in Medical Technology, graduating at the top of her class. Nancy’s career as a Medical Technologist lasted until she retired in her mid-60s. Without participating in organized movements or marches, Nancy quietly fought for “work place equality” before it was a term. Utilizing her intellect, work ethic, collaborative skills, and signature smile, Nancy insisted on equality within the male dominated field of medicine. Nancy instilled the belief that women can, and do, balance professional careers with the important roles of a loving wife and mother devoted to family in her daughters, granddaughters, sons, and grandsons. Nancy was a role model who watched her daughters and granddaughters follow that path.
Throughout their married life, Nancy and Tom were inseparable. They married on November 23, 1955, and remained happily married and best friends until Tom’s passing in 2015. Tom and Nancy had four children while living in Denver and Boulder CO. Upon moving to San Jose, CA in 1971, Nancy worked as a Med Tech in various clinics including the Women’s Community Clinic in San Jose, as well as one of the first CA clinics treating HIV patients during the height of that virus in the 1980s. Following the birth of grandchildren in early 1990, Nancy and Tom took on the daycare duties for the Pollak and Pollard grandchildren. They were always available and willing to cover babysitting whenever asked by any of their children. Their grandchildren benefitted from their vast knowledge of marriage and parenting. They regaled their grandchildren with a multitude of stories that were, and will always be, re-told throughout the generations. Over the next two decades, Tom and Nancy taught their grandchildren the value of family, loyalty, and commitment. Nancy’s grandchildren and great-grandchildren will remember their Great Gramma Nan as a kind, gentle, patient, and loving grandmother who was always ready with her beautiful smile and kind words to encourage them to pursue their dreams.
Nancy was an accomplished gourmet cook who enjoyed many hours perusing recipes and sharing the fruits of them with friends and family during beautifully executed dinner parties. Other passions throughout her life included reading, completing crossword puzzles in ink, gardening, golf, and cheering on her SF Giants and Denver Broncos. She was a generous, kind, sensitive, dedicated woman who loved her family and who was passionate about keeping them close. Tom and Nancy held countless large and small parties held at their home in San Jose. Their door was always open to the friends of their children, offering an ear, a shoulder and words of wisdom and encouragement. Many impromptu “counseling sessions” occurred in their kitchen, often lasting well into the early morning hours while young people listened to their stories and sage advice.
A celebration honoring Nancy will occur later in the spring of 2024. In honor of Nancy, always try to offer a warm smile and a kind word to people you encounter throughout your day. Pay it forward to make yours, and someone else’s, day the best day possible.
Mama, our hearts are broken now but we find solace in knowing you and Daddy are together forever. Memories mend the heart; we have a multitude of wonderful memories to begin our healing.
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