Nancy Fritz

Nancy

FRITZ



Nancy was born in St. Paul, MN on August 20, 1937. Although she didn't have much formal education, Nancy was very intelligent, innovating and applied her knowledge and skills to her job situation and life. Working most of her adult life, starting as a car hop, then working many office jobs and in the banking industry. Nancy also worked at the computer lab at NMSU. In Reno she worked as an Administrative Assistant for Editor Warren Larue at the Reno Gazette Journal for about 14 years, and then lastly at the Washoe County Comptrollers office for approximately 11 years. Everywhere she went Nancy made many beautiful friends, who have kept in touch over the years.

Nancy and Robert (her husband of 54 years) raised their four children from the North in Minnesota, the deep south of Alabama, the Southwest of New Mexico and then West to Reno, NV. One of her greatest accomplishments and joys in life was raising her family of four children (Teri, David, Brenda and Alesia). She also had eight grandchildren and three great grandchildren. She enjoyed the little ones right up to the end of her life.

In raising her family Nancy introduced her children at a young age to the outdoor life and camping. Taking them to Yosemite, Yellowstone, Glacier and many other state and national parks, spending many nights beneath the stars.

She loved to travel, traveling from Mexico to Canada to the Hawaiian Islands and lastly to England and Europe. Nancy particularly enjoyed the beauty of Switzerland and Italy, where she and Bob stayed on the shores of Lake Como, watching from the open window of the chalet as the swans swam up to the dock in the early morning.

Nancy used her financial skills, beaming personality and her love of Native American Indian art, jewelry, southwest pottery and paintings to open up her own gift shop off the plaza in Old Mesilla, one of the oldest towns in New Mexico.

Nancy and her husband Robert shared a life in the "Astronomy" world in Las Cruces, New Mexico. Meeting some of the most notable people in Astronomy such as Clyde Tombaugh and Brad Smith. She has kept in contact with many of her loving friends she met almost 50 years ago.

Nancy found it relaxing spending many hours a day working on a crossword or picture puzzles. She also found great joy in curling up and reading great books, by John Grisham and other authors. Sharing her love of books with those around her. She enjoyed the music of the 60's and 70's, particularly the blues. It was one of her greatest joys to attend the concerts of Neil Diamond, The Eagles, Eric Clapton & Bob Seger.

Nancy along with her husband were involved with breeding and raising Arabian Horses at their ranch, Legendary Farms. They showed their Arabian horses and won multiple times. She loved the excitement of going to the horse shows, especially the prestigious Scottsdale show in Arizona cheering for her horses & her friends horses. She really enjoyed the beauty and intelligence of the Arabian horses, meeting and spending time with her many wonderful friends in the horse circuit.

After retiring from Washoe County Comptroller's Office in 2001, Nancy enjoyed her home (with her husband Robert) on the coast in Charleston, Oregon. Nancy appreciated the easy laid back lifestyle of the bay area. She enjoyed walking the beaches, watching the big ships coming in and out of the bay, listening to the seals barking at night, and harvesting blueberries from their back yard. Nancy loved going out on the ocean and the bay and it was thrilling and adventurous for her to take the wheel and steer the boat, while her husband and brother, Al threw the crab pots from the back. Nancy and Bob would often go to Cape Arago Park to watch for whales. One day, much to their surprise they saw a whale playing around about 100 feet off the shore, the whale put on quite a show!

Nancy had an eleven-month battle with cancer, and she showed amazing strength and character in her fight, never complaining. Nancy passed away peacefully at home with her family on February 6, 2010. The family would like to thank Dr. John Shields and staff, St. Mary's Hospice and Father Karry for their assistance and understanding.

As she wished Nancy will be cremated and her remains scattered in the bay in Oregon. There will be a wake held at a later date.

"You're a better [person] than I am Gunga Din" - Rudyard Kipling