Nancy L. Huelskamp

June 17, 1947 - May 8, 2013

Having lived a full and productive life, Nancy Loretta (McGarr) Huelskamp, 65, passed away, with her family by her side, on May 8, 2013 in San Diego, CA. She died of breast cancer after 15 years in remission. She was born in San Francisco on June 17, 1947 and grew up in Sonoma, CA. Nancy came to San Diego in 1971, where she met her husband Andy. They were married on July 1, 1972.

Nancy attended Ursuline High School in Santa Rosa, CA. She received an A.S. degree in Nursing from Santa Rosa Jr. College. Her first job, in 1969, was working at San Francisco General Hospital in the ICU. Nancy earned a B.S. degree, while working at nights as a nurse, from San Diego State University. After graduation, she worked as a Critical Care Registered Nurse at Children’s Hospital ICU for 14 years and at Kaiser Permanente ICU for 27 years. Nancy retired from Kaiser on June 30, 2012. She worked the night shift (11pm-7am) during all of her 43 years of nursing.

Nancy was a loving and dedicated wife, mother, grandmother, and friend. She was selfless, smart, passionate, strong, independent, and persistent. She worked hard and always went above and beyond of what was expected of her in all aspects of her life. She was known to brighten up a room with her stories and laughter, and always made time to help those who sought her help and guidance.

Nancy was very religious. God was the center of her life and she actively encouraged others to do the same. She prayed daily and attended daily mass when she retired. Nancy was devoted to St. Padre Pio, the Rosary, Devine Mercy, Our Lady of Perpetual Help, the Adoration Chapel, Pro-Life causes, Priest for Life, Eternal Word Television Network (the largest Catholic TV Network), and Culture of Life Family Services. She was often seen protesting against abortions in front of abortion clinics.

Nancy was also active in politics. She was instrumental in getting the Governor of California to sign a nurse to patient ratio Assembly Bill, which requires 1 nurse to 2 patients in the ICU. She travel to Sacramento and made numerous trips to LA to get the bill passed. She was also a charter member of the Eagle Forum of San Diego, an organization fighting for conservative causes and ideas.

She is survived by her husband of 40 years, Andy, her children, Rose Mary, Elizabeth, and John, their spouses, and her grand children, Natalie, Ashley, Reid, Luke, and Emilio. Another grand daughter, Emma, will be born in July 2013. She saw a 4D ultra-sound just weeks she before passing away.

Viewing will be held on Thursday, May 16, 2013 from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. with Rosary at 7:00 p.m. at Humphrey’s Mortuary, 753 Broadway, Chula Vista, CA 91910.

Funeral Services will be held at Our Lady of the Rosary, 1629 Columbia St., San Diego, CA 92101 (corner of Date & State in Little Italy) on Friday, May 17, 2013 at 9:00 a.m. A reception will immediately follow in the church hall.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in memory of Nancy Huelskamp to any one of the following organizations:

Pacific Justice Institute: www.pacificjustice.org/donate

Culture of Life Family Service: www.colfs.org

Priests for Life: www.priestsforlife.org/donate

Legionaries of Christ: www.mylegionaries.org

LETTERS FROM NANCY

I’M FREE

Don’t grieve for me, for now I’m free.

I’m following the path God laid for me.

I took His hand when I heard Him call;

I turned my back and left it all.

I could not stay another day

To laugh, to love, to work, or to play.

Tasks left undone must stay that way,

I found that peace in the day.

If my parting has left a void,

Then fill it with remembered joy.

A friendship shared, a laugh, a kiss,

Ah yes, these things, I too, will miss.

Be not burdened with time of sorrow,

I wish you the sunshine of tomorrow.

My life’s been full; I’ve savored much,

Good family, friends, times, a loved one’s touch.

Perhaps my time seemed all too brief,

Don’t lengthen it now with undue grief.

Lift up your heart and share with me-

God wanted you to know; He has set me free.

MISS ME – BUT LET GO!

When I come to the end of the

road and the sun has set for me

I want no rites in a gloom-filled room.

Why cry for a soul set free?

Miss me – but not too long and

not with your head bowed low.

Remember the love that we once

shared, miss me – but let me go.

For this is a journey that we all must

take and each must go alone.

It’s all a part of the Master’s plan,

a step on the road to home.

When you are lonely and sick of heart,

go to the friends we know and bury

your sorrows in doing good deeds.

Miss me – but let me go!