Nancy Levihn

mate in ‘48” and married Paul Levihn on February 4th. Paul was in the navy during WWII, graduated from the University

of Wisconsin where Nan helped put him through school, then left for Morocco – single status – as a young engineer with

no experience, after three weeks in St. Louis. Nancy, an adventuress at heart, flew on a one-way ticket from Milwaukee

to New York with $7.12 in her pocket, interviewed with Paul’s future company, was accepted as a typist for Morocco,

and hopped a plane to join him in Casablanca with the same $7.12 carrying her across the Atlantic.

They lived a life overseas during the era of the airplane, before English was spoken around the world, and had many

unique experiences. Two daughters were born in Morocco. The family continued on to Iran (Hammedan Desert and

Tehran), Turkey (Izmir and Istanbul), Australia (Melbourne then the Outback near Port Hedland), Wisconsin (Nan felt the

girls should know what an American felt like), back to Australia (the Outback 40 miles from Roebourne), Zaire (now

The Congo), Colombia (Guajira Peninsula and Barranquilla), London, The Hague, Texas for a bit, then Indonesia on the

island of Sumatra for six years. For several years prior to ending in Texas, they split their retirement time evenly

between St. Germain, Boise and Austin.

Nancy put herself through college, obtaining both a Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree in Social Work which she put to use

in the Wisconsin and Boise school systems. She was a gracious hostess to everyone she met, from hosting ambassadors

and heads of state (cooking meals on a two-burner hot plate while the girls madly did dishes in the kitchen to keep up

with the necessary five forks, four spoons, and endless glasses) to receiving construction camp workers on the beach

complete with a whole roasted sheep.

Nancy was also an accomplished bridge player, quilter, and very fast walker. She was known overseas as a raconteuse

sans pareil (a storyteller without equal), entertaining all and making them welcome. She took the time in each country

to learn as much as she could of the local language (Arabic, Farsi, Turkish, French, Lingala, Spanish, Dutch, and of course,

‘Strine, that special form of English spoken by the Australians).

Nancy is survived by her husband Paul Levihn; two daughters Kathryn Levihn and Paula Levihn-Coon; son-in-law Bill

Levihn-Coon; sister Barbara Mangio; grandchildren Adele, Austen, Ryan, Sophie and Andrew; sister-in-law Dorothy Witt;

Witt nieces and nephews Nanci, Muffie, Tina, Frank, Bobbie, Alwin, Mary, Gina and Angela; Levihn nieces and nephews

Kari, Brenda, Annie, David, Lynne, Scott, Kurt, Jayna, Valerie, Peter (Nancy’s godchild), Laurel, Christine and Jeff. She had

boundless love for us all, and for her many, many friends.

Memorial Service: Saturday, 2:00 pm, March 7, 2015 at Cook Walden, 6100 North Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78752

followed by a celebration of her life, sparkle and influence at 7312 Easy Wind Drive, Austin, TX 78757.

You are invited to add to her Tribute page on this website.

Donations in her name to the University of Wisconsin School of Social Work, 1848 University Drive, Madison, WI 53726,

Attn: Gift Processing, would be appreciated in lieu of flowers.