Nancy Jean Ellyson

July 13, 1939 - May 24, 2016 Nancy Jean (Wilson) Ellyson passed away at Villa Gardens Health Center in Pasadena, CA on May 24, 2016 after a short illness. Nancy was born in Bakersfield, California, on July 13, 1939 to John L. and Grace K. Wilson. The family, including her brother Robert, moved to La Crescenta in 1943. Nancy attended Lincoln Elementary School, Clark Junior High, and graduated from Glendale High School in 1957. She and her parents and brother traveled widely during her youth, including a trip around the world. She attended USC and graduated with a B.A. in 1961. Following college, she lived briefly in Denver, Colorado, where she met and married George "Mike" Ellyson in 1965. Their daughter, Melody, was born in Fort Worth, Texas, in 1968. Mike was in the Air Force, and the family moved across the United States throughout his career, living in California, Texas, Florida, Virginia, and Colorado. Following her divorce, Nancy returned to California where she went to work for Baxter Pharmaceuticals. She was transferred to their Chicago office for a few years and then returned to Southern California in 1991 upon the death of her mother. She then went to work for Warner Brothers in the Contracts Administration Department until her retirement. A longtime, active member of AAUW (The American Association of University Women, Glendale Branch), Nancy was the Branch President from 1994/1995 and Co-President from 2013/2014. She also prepared the annual AAUW Yearbook for many years. Additionally, Nancy was a member of the Baxter Alumni group and worked as Treasurer and an organizer for their annual luncheon gathering. Her other hobbies included genealogy, gardening, and visiting with family. She made annual trips to the Seattle area and Arizona at holidays.Nancy was a loving Mom and warm and supportive Grandma to her granddaughter, Grace. She is survived by her brother, Robert, daughter and son-in-law Melody and Daniel Derrick, and many cousins and their children across the country. Her warm smile and frank demeanor will be missed by all who knew her. Memorial Service will be Saturday, June 11, 2016 at 10:00 am at Cabot & Sons Chapel, Pasadena.