On March 2, 2011, Nancy Steward left us to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, where he no doubt cradled her in his arms and said, “Well done, good and faithful servant.” Nancy was a beautiful person on the outside, but admired for her internal beauty even more.
She was born December 29, 1958 in Whittier, Calif. to Robert and Dorothy Ingrum. The family moved to Ventura in 1966. They loved spending time together whether on vacations or Sunday drives after church.
Nancy’s education took place in Ventura schools: El Camino Elementary, Anacapa Jr. High, Buena High School, and Ventura College.
On July 18, 1981, she married Bradley Steward. Nancy worked at many Ventura restaurants, including Casa De Soria, Erick Erickson’s, The Yankee Clipper, Ferraros, and Alison’s. She loved each of these jobs. During this time, she took classes, working toward acceptance into the Ventura College Nursing Program; she also gave birth to sons, Jake and Grady.
In 1992, the family moved to experience life in the Eastern Sierras. During this time, daughter Leah was born, and Nancy worked at Angels. They only lived in Mammoth for three years, as Nancy’s desire to become a nurse prompted their move back to Ventura so she could pursue that goal.
She graduated from the Ventura College Nursing Program in 1999. Eventually, she landed her dream job, working for Dr. Evan Slater in the Oncology Infusion Clinic. Nancy truly had a servant’s heart for giving and did an incredible job with the cancer patients she worked with. Nearly every day she would relate, “I have a hard job, but I love my job.” Nancy adored her fellow nurses and best friends from the clinic, Cathy, Sue, and Linda.
The loves of Nancy’s life were her children and extended family. Nancy cherished every moment she was able to spend with her sister, Judy, and her girls.
The most important relationship in Nancy’s life was with Jesus Christ. The time she spent reading his word and praying refreshed her and defined who she was. He gave her the endurance to continue to praise his name throughout the 22 months she lived with pancreatic cancer. While she found living with cancer difficult, she counted it as a blessing as it drew her and her husband, Brad, closer to each other, and to the Lord.
Nancy is survived by her husband, Bradley Steward; children, Jake, Grady, and Leah; parents, Robert and Dorothy Ingrum; brother, David (Joan) Ingrum; and sister, Judy (Alan) Hielscher.
Thank you to Dr. Evan Slater, Dr. John Prichard, Cathy Deen, Sue Lind, May Barry, and Julia Nessim for the wonderful care Nancy received, and for the honor she received working with them.
A celebration of Nancy’s life will take place 2 p.m., Friday March, 11, 2011 at Reality Ventura, 1954 Goodyear Ave.
Arrangements are under the direction of the Ted Mayr Funeral Home and Crematory, 3150 Loma Vista Rd., Ventura. Condolences may be left at www.tedmayrfuneralhome.com.
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