Nan Louise Budinger

January 23, 1957 – February 23, 2015

Nan was a successful businesswoman, a talented screenwriter, a giving teacher, a keen student of mythology, an insightful Tarot reader, and a healing Reiki Master. Her professional pursuits and personal passions had a profound influence on many.

She graduated from the University of California at Santa Cruz with honors degrees in Literature and Creative Writing. She returned for an additional year to pursue studies in Modern Society and Social Thought, focusing on the memoir, and to teach sections of the Stevenson College freshman core course, Self and Society. As a teacher and a preceptor, she inspired, nurtured, and amused.

Nan first put her education to good use as a professional namer and verbal branding consultant, an occupation that allowed her to exercise the analytical and creative parts of her brain at the same time. As founder of Metaphor Name Consultants, she helped introduce many well-known corporate and product brands to the marketplace, and also helped to launch the careers of many who worked under her direction and shared her fascination with language.

She loved movies and penned two brilliant screenplays. Her first, Grace, was honored as a quarterfinalist in the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences' 2003 Nicholl Fellowship competition. And the always well-attended private film festivals she presented in her living room (she was the consummate hostess) often signaled that the careers of her selected acting and directing honorees were just about to really take off.

Nan was a gifted storyteller and a generous teacher and mentor. She encouraged others to release their creative spirit through workshops and coaching, helping many budding writers to give form and shape to their own narratives.

Her passion for storytelling and the power of myth led her to take up reading the Tarot, through which she guided clients to move forward in their lives with insight and purpose, and then to Pacifica Graduate Institute, where she was working toward an advanced degree in Mythological Studies. She found great joy in, and excelled at, both pursuits.

Nan loved Ireland, a place that she considered her spiritual as well as ancestral home. West Cork made her heart sing, the Cliffs of Moher left her awestruck, the Irish sheep with their painted behinds gave her the giggles. And all of Ireland loved Nan right back, especially Dublin. With a wit that was smart, engaging, and infectious, she contributed to the great craic at Mulligans on Poolbeg Street in ways that aren't likely to be forgotten.

Dearly beloved by many family members and friends who can hardly imagine the world without her, Nan was a loving and loyal daughter, sister, cousin, aunt, and friend. She will be remembered always for her kindness, compassion, fierce intellect, and courage.

Born and raised in Whittier, California, Nan was preceded in death by her parents Robert and Helen Budinger. She is survived by her sister Anna Budinger and Anna's partner Philip Schwartz; her brother Robert Budinger and sister-in-law Carol; her sister Mary Sabatini, brother-in-law Joseph, and nephew Robert; and many loving cousins and friends.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Halsted N. Gray - Carew & English, Inc., 1123 Sutter Street, San Francisco, California 94109, and floral tributes should be sent there. If donations are preferred, Nan was an active supporter of Project Open Hand, Amnesty International USA, and classical radio station KDFC.

In joyous celebration of Nan's life, a memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 7, 2015, at the Log Cabin in the San Francisco Presidio.

For driving directions and other information, please visit www.nan.eveningpilgrim.com.