Necia Salan Obituary

Necia (Nicky) Salan Mar. 27, 1934 - Oct. 10, 2011 Beloved San Francisco bookseller Nicky Salan died peacefully at home after a long illness. The bookstore she founded, Cover to Cover, a San Francisco institution, grew out of her love for children's literature and the small, Saturday sales of children's books from her long-time home on Edgewood Avenue in Parnassus Heights. Even before the bookstore opened, initially on Clement Street and later on 24th Street in Noe Valley, Nicky was known as the Book Fair Lady, providing books to hundreds of school fund-raising events and befriending many elementary school teachers. She soon became a nationally recognized expert on literature for children and youth. She was proud to count among her closest friends many of her devoted staff as well as publishers' book representatives. When Nicky retired in 1999, the Noe Valley store passed into employee hands. Born in Baltimore and raised there and in Ellicott City, Maryland, a graduate of Barnard College, Class of 1955, Nicky is survived by her daughter, Debra (and Ken Maki), son Fred (and Toni Barba-Salan) and adored grandsons Aram Hava Salan, Daniel Fine Salan and Marco Barba Salan. Nicky moved to San Francisco in 1958 with her former husband, Martin Salan, who predeceased her, working initially as a social worker at the Jewish Community Center on California Street. A lifelong Giants fan (her move and theirs in 1958 was merely a coincidence) and long-time season ticket holder, Nicky lived to see her team bring home a World Series trophy. She was a superb and inventive cook, a gracious hostess, and a most generous friend. The family would like to thank and acknowledge Nicky's devoted caregivers, Fay Gustilo and Juanita Russo and the wonderful hospice staff. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, October 12, at 10:00 a.m. at Sinai Memorial Chapel, 1501 Divisadero St., SF, followed by burial at Home of Peace Cemetery in Colma. In lieu of flowers, contributions are welcome to Grattan School: Nicky Salan Library Fund, 165 Grattan Street, San Francisco, CA 94117 or the charity of your choice.

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Published by San Francisco Chronicle from Oct. 10 to Oct. 11, 2011.

Memories and Condolences
for Necia Salan

4 Entries

Len Traubman

October 22, 2011

Dear Fred and Debby,
It was such a pleasure being your pediatric dentist and experiencing your devoted mom's love for each of you and for bringing books into people's lives.
What depth she had, as she brought depth, spirituality, and affection with her wherever she traveled.
Libby and I send you our love, and bless you and your families as you rememeber your extraordinary mom and your relationships at their very best, and carry the best of Nicky into your own homes and beyond.

October 14, 2011

Debby and Fred, I am so sorry to hear of the loss of your mother. she was alwys very kind to me and gave me free reign in her gardens. She was a favorite client with whom I always enjoyed a chat and whom I admired. It was so very lovely of her to pass on the bookstore to her emplyees. My assistants and I will miss her friendly welcome and we'll miss keeping her Meyer lemon tree producing for her. Michele Schaal

October 11, 2011

Debby and Fred...We have known and loved your mother (and you) since we moved to SF in 1965. We have so many wonderful memories from our years in the neighborhood and even after we moved away. She was so kind and generous to us in so many ways, always available. We loved her smile, her laugh, her cooking (so many of her recipes we have), her love of baseball, her bookstores (beginning in your basement), stopping to talk when she was driving by in her Volvo, her enthusiastic recommendations for kids' books and on and on with great memories. We wish we could be there with you for the funeral and service. Our hearts are there. Love, Linda and Jerry

Amy Cheney (Stevens)

October 10, 2011

Dear Debby and Freddie,

This is such sad news. I am flooded with memories of all of us for so many years: your family was like a second one to me, and so integral to my growing up. I loved your mom. Last saw her in her home in Noe Valley. I am sorry I didn't see her after that.

I am going to try to get someone to cover my work so I can attend the funeral. I am not sure I will be able to, I have a major event that day.

Please, let's stay in touch.

I am sorry for your and our loss.

Amy

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