Nancy DePrima

Nancy was 92 years old when she passed peacefully in her home in Clovis, surrounded by the love of her children and grandchildren, she went home to be with our Lord August 1, 2026.

She was courageous and strong, with a loving heart until the very end. Nancy loved her family deeply, and the love she gave them throughout her life will remain in their hearts forever.

Nancy La Ferrera was born on August 29, 1933, in Brooklyn, New York, to Salvatore and Anna La Ferrera. Her family later moved to Marlboro, New York, where they lived on an apple farm before making the journey across the country by train to California.

Even as a little girl, Nancy had a way of bringing joy wherever she went. During that long train ride, she entertained the other passengers by singing and dancing, and they would reward her with a little food or a coin. That joyful, outgoing spirit would remain with her throughout her entire life.

The family eventually settled in San Francisco, where Nancy grew up in Diamond Heights. At just 15 years old, she worked as an usherette at the Marina Theatre alongside her dear friends Dot and Mel. The girls could hardly wait to receive their paychecks so they could head to the Emporium and buy beautiful cashmere sweaters.

Then came Johnny De Prima.

Nancy met Johnny on a blind date—but not exactly with each other. Johnny was with her best friend, while Nancy was with someone else. Their group would go to North Beach, park their cars in a circle, turn up the radios and dance together. One evening, Johnny pulled Nancy over to dance with him…and from that moment on, he never let her go.

Nancy and Johnny were married on November 18, 1950, beginning a love story that lasted just short of 60 years.

Nancy’s nurturing nature began long before she had children of her own. When her little brother Steve was born, she took on responsibilities at a very young age, and the two developed an extraordinary bond. Because their mother worked graveyard shifts, Steve spent much of his early childhood with Nancy and Johnny.

When Nancy and Johnny later moved from San Francisco to Fresno, Steve initially stayed behind with his mother and older siblings. But one early morning, at only 13 years old, Steve found his way to his sister Nancy’s doorstep. She welcomed him with open arms. Nancy may have been his sister by birth, but in every way that mattered, she was truly his mother.

Johnny and Nancy went on to have four children of their own: Debra, John, Frank and Samuel.

After raising their family, another important chapter of Nancy’s life began with Willow Gardens Nursery. Johnny wanted to phase out of commercial landscaping, and together they dreamed of opening a nursery. Nancy, Sam and Don were there from the beginning.

Nancy threw herself wholeheartedly into learning everything she could about plants and gardening. She read the Sunset Western Garden Book at night and became extraordinarily knowledgeable. She especially loved finding unusual varieties and bringing in plants that no one else carried.

She enjoyed visiting with the garden representatives when they came to the nursery. They loved Nancy, too, and many became lifelong friends.

Customers would walk into Willow Gardens and specifically ask:

“I want the Little Blonde Lady.”

And everyone knew exactly who they meant.

Nancy would walk through the nursery with her customers, enthusiastically showing them all the wonderful plants and garden treasures she had brought in. She was tiny but mighty—it was nothing to see her carrying two five-gallon trees at once.

Bare-root season was one of her favorite times of the year. The specialty fruit trees and beautiful roses would arrive, and Nancy couldn't wait to tell her customers all about them. Her enthusiasm was contagious. By the time she finished describing a particular rose or fruit tree, chances were they wanted to take it home.

That was Nancy.

She didn't simply sell plants. She shared something she loved. And people loved being around her because of it.

Her warmth, enthusiasm and genuine interest in people extended far beyond the nursery. Nancy never knew a stranger. She loved feeding people, visiting with them and making everyone feel welcome. Her home became affectionately known as “Nana’s House”—a place where the door was always open, there was always something to eat, and everyone left knowing they were loved.

That love—for her family, her friends, her garden and simply for life itself—is the legacy Nancy leaves behind. ❤️

Nancy was preceded in death by her beloved husband, John Carl DePrima; her son, Samual DePrima; her grandson, Frankie DePrima; her parents, Salvatore and Anna La Ferrera; and her siblings, Angela Olsen, Frank La Ferrara, and Marion La Ferrera.

Nancy leaves behind a loving family who will forever cherish her memory. She is survived by her children, Debra DePrima, John DePrima Jr., Laurina DePrima, and Frank DePrima; her grandchildren, Heather Heffington, Tiffany DePrima, Giavanna DePrima, Michael DePrima and Jeanna, Kristina Frankian and Marc, Danielle DePrima and Ed, and Johnny DePrima Chance; and her great-grandchildren, Isabella Frankian, Dominique DePrima, Jacob DePrima, Hudson Frankian, Giavanna Erganian, Sienna Erganian, and Melina Erganian.

She is also survived by her brother, Steve La Ferrera; her sisters-in-law, Alicia De Prima and Toni Hayden and Husband Geoff; her nephews, Brett LaFerrera and his wife Jessica, Craig La Ferrera; and her nieces, Sandra La Ferrera and Amber, Denice Kaleiki Brooke, Kendra, Michelle Miller, and Melissa Daye along with many other beloved family members and dear friends.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, August 18, 2026 at Whitehurst Sullivan Burns and Blair Funeral Home, 836 E Nees Ave., Fresno CA from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm followed by a recitation of the Holy Rosary at 7:00 pm.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Wednesday, August 19, 2026 at Holy Spirit Catholic Church, 355 E Champlain Ave., Fresno, CA at 10:00 am.

Interment to follow at Clovis Cemetery

A reception celebrating Nancy’s life will follow the services.

Flowers may be sent to Whitehurst Sullivan Burns & Blair Funeral Home on Tuesday, August 18, 2026.

Remembrances in Nancy's name may be made to St. Jude Hospital 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 - www.stjude.org

MEMORIES FROM HER CHILDREN AND GRANDCHILDREN

Debi

Momma

I miss you so much already mom, you were always so strong and always found time to listen and talk… I loved all our talks..

I loved all our Shopping trips…. We could shop till we dropped!

I loved all our trips to Costco… seeing you behind that huge cart full of goodies

I loved all our trips to the beach you were always up to exploring.

I love our Christmas’s and Easter Partys, and helping you with your Bunco Parties

I loved your Italian Cooking… none could compare… you spoiled us.. I can’t eat Italian food out!

I loved all your desserts and inventions through the years.. Your Italian and Oatmeal Cookies, Tropical Dream Cake and so many more

I loved how you loved my Children

I loved how you enjoyed each day to the fullest… you loved life and you knew how to make Lemonade out of Lemons.

I loved watching you and dad dance and all your love for each other through the years.

I loved how you loved me… and you will always be in my heart.

Ti amo per sempre, mia bellissima mamma ❤️

John’o

How was Mom special to me, to many ways to count, but here are a few.

•Her wisdom, patience and able to carry on conversation with my friends and I, growing up as my Mom and best friend.

•Her cooking of course, always relaxed and confident with her Legs crossed at the stove.

•Her protection of her Kids, always having my back when my arm and nose were broken, mauled by dogs, or dragged down the street by hit and run motor bike, looking to take up with whoever was responsible.

•Our family and Laurina’s trips to the Antique Auctions, San Francisco, the Coast, Millerton and Shaver Lake etc etc.

•Her love for No Peaky’s, our Country and Trump.

•Lastly her courage to try anything…

XOXO I love you to the moon and back Mom.

Laurina

Remembering Nana:

She never knew how that I was incredibly in awe of how talented she was. How she could figure out how to do anything but usually she did it better.

All the birthday parties for the grandkids and darling outfits she made for them.

I loved all of our shopping trips, we spent hours going from store to store looking for bargains and unique stuff.

I learned how to wrap gifts and baskets from her.

She shared lots of family favorite recipes with me, ones I still make to this day.

Loved playing poker with her and Papa.

She always had time to talk about older times when she was young and all the family was young.

Things I will remember forever.

Frank

My favorite memory of my Mom was her cooking. She was the best cook and she even has a Betty Crocker award for her pecan rolls. My very favorite.

I loved how she took care of Dad and then Me… she always made sure we had everything we needed

She always had a 3 - 5 course meal on the table every night for her family

Steve

I loved all the things we did together like Hidden River Ranch

How she always took care of me

How if you needed a gift she always had one to give

How she would always make me Eggplant Parmesan to take home

I enjoyed how we would always talk

Heather

Nana,

Thank you for choosing me in this lifetime again.

We will see each again on another plane, another world, another life full of a deep love and fondness of one another.

For now I am so very grateful and beyond blessed for what you gave me… all the love, laughter, support, listening thru the tears and pain and giving the strength to go on and make each day a gift.

You were our little fairy here in this world, gracing us with your love and kindness. Now I see you in the sky, the wind and the stars at night - forever surrounded by you.

I will miss you here, so until we meet again Goldilocks, your forever Granddaughter Heather. I Love You!

Tiffany

I loved how she made everyone feel welcome and loved, no matter who you were or how long it had been since she’d seen you. Her door was always open, and there was always a place for you at her table.

I loved watching her cook for everyone, her spaghetti sauce was legendary, and her Christmas cookies, pies, and weekend breakfasts. I loved her flowers and those tiny strawberries she grew that were somehow the sweetest strawberries I’ve ever tasted. I loved how incredibly hardworking she was, helping build Willow Gardens with Papa from the ground up while still pouring so much love into her home and family.

Kristina

One of the things I've treasured the most Is Nana’s unconditional love.

She knew when to listen, She knew when to hug you and rock you.

She was very much a leader.

She taught herself an abundance of crafts and skills throughout her life

She was smart. She found a way and made a way, always.

She taught my sister and I how to work hard and get it done without complaints.

She taught us the true art of cooking… with your heart

She taught us it’s always better to have more than less when hosting.

She was the hostess of all of our lives.

She was everyone's Nana.

Everyone was always welcome.

Giavanna

NANA:

“Deep, True, Love”

“Infinite Familial Love”

“Beautiful Sparkling Blue Eyes”

“Best Big Loving Hugs”

“A Rock of Family & Love”

“Love You Forever with All My Heart” ❤️ ❤️

Michael

Remembering my love for Nana.

•Nana’s great cooking, especially her famous chicken cutlets.

•Helping Nana at the nursery, with uncle Sam.

• I loved how Nana made Christmas and birthdays so special for us.

I am so heartbroken and I will miss her forever but excited to celebrate her amazing life.

Danielle

My favorite memories of Nana is how she always took the time to take care of us - whether it was feeding us or taking us somewhere or just talking to us when we needed it… loved all of us grandchildren like her own kids.

Johnny

What I loved about my Nana

How happy she was on everyone’s Birthday…with her Singing Turtle. Singing Happy Birthday To You!

How she asked me “How many cars do you have Johnny”

How she would hide her See’s Candy and then bring out the box for an unexpected treat!

I loved he Spaghetti Sauce with the Short Ribs nothing could compare- I loved those family dinners

Her famous Oatmeal Cookies… no one can replicate….we will all miss them

I loved how she would say I love you Johnny.. with all my heart