Columbus, IN native, Nancy Jane Stevens, age 80, passed away on Sunday, June 16, 2019 in her original CA hometown of Fullerton. Nancy was born in Columbus on August 12, 1938. Nancy or Nanc as she was known by her friends, learned to ride a horse at an early age and was a member of the local Jr. Trailblazers riding group and Saddle Club. Nanc told many stories to her daughters over the years, about her life in Columbus, a city she was proud to be a native of.
In 1952 Nanc and her parents, Charles and Rosanna Stevens, moved to Fullerton, CA and Nanc was heartbroken to leave her friends and her horses behind. Soon she had a new horse and a new life in CA where she made marvelous new life-long friends.
Nanc graduated from Long Beach State University in 1959 and soon became an elementary school teacher, also in Fullerton. In 1962 Nanc became a stay-at-home-Mom when her first daughter, Paige was born and continued to stay at home when her second daughter, Polly, was born in 1964. After her daughters finished high school, Nanc went back to teaching, a profession she loved. She taught in the Corona-Norco Unified School district for 19 years.
Nanc retired in 2004 and spent her retirement years traveling with her long-time partner, Everett Emmons. They took multiple cruises, Panama Canal and Alaska. They traveled to England and Italy as well. Nanc also had her beloved dog Brutus, who was a trained therapy dog. She and Brutus visited the elderly for many years. She was also active in local politics in her final hometown of Yorba Linda, CA. Nanc also made several trips to Columbus in her retirement years to participate in Columbus Historical events as well as to visit long-time friends.
Nanc is survived by her daughters Paige Basurto (David) and Polly Kvancz-Morgan (Mike). She was preceded in death by her long-time partner, Everett Emmons and her parents, Charles and Rosanna Stevens.
A memorial service was held in Fullerton, CA on Saturday, June 22nd, 2019 and a graveside service will be held in Columbus on Friday, August 30th, 2019 at 10:30am at Garland Brook Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to your favorite local animal rescue organization here in Columbus
