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BORN
1953
DIED
2015
FUNERAL HOME
Nita Hemrick Obituary
Sept. 4,1953-Jan. 5,2015
Resident of Aptos
Nita Luce Hemrick passed away on Monday morning in the arms of her daughters, who sent her, with love, to a place where she can be at peace. Nita was a loving friend, mother and grandmother. Survived by her three daughters, Ashlee Hemrick Grieb, Lindsey Hemrick Stagnaro and Katie Hemrick, her grandson Tommy Grieb, her son-in-laws Fred Grieb and Adam Stagnaro, her sister Dana Keith, her brother Chuck Luce, her mother Margie Moss, her sweet kitties Bella and Winnie, and her pool boy Kevin Walter.
Cancer is what eventually ended Nita's life but she never liked to say she was "fighting" cancer or that she "lost a battle". She was living, and she beat the odds and lived 6 years after her diagnosis when the statistics said there wouldn't be nearly that much time. With the help of Dr. Heather Wakelee and her team at Stanford, she was able to see her youngest daughter start her career, two of her daughters get married, and meet her first grandchild, the love of her life for the last 6 months. She was so excited to finally be called "Nana."
Nita grew up in Watsonville and lived most of her adult life in Aptos, where she raised her children with their amazing father, David Hemrick. She loved to travel and made multiple trips to her favorite places - Paris, New York City, San Francisco, with Lake Tahoe being at the top of her list. An animal lover, she especially loved kitties, and volunteered at the 7th Avenue Animal Shelter. The Saturdays she spent with the cats at the shelter were some of her favorite times. Like her grandmother before her, the San Francisco Giants held a special place in her heart. Above all else she was a loving mother and more recently a grandmother. She lived for her children and held on as long as she did because of them.
A celebration of Nita's life will be held Saturday January 10th from 2-4pm at Cafe Rio in Aptos, followed by a beach walk to "the wall," Nita's favorite place to get some exercise and clear her mind. In lieu of flowers, please make donations in Nita's memory to the 7th Avenue Animal Shelter, 2200 7th Avenue, Santa Cruz, CA 95062, or the Bonnie J. Addario Lung Cancer Foundation, 1100 Industrial Way #1, San Carlos, CA, 94070.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Nita Hemrick
Sponsored by santacruzsentinel.com.
December 12, 2015
Deeply missing my dear friend, talking over coffee, and looking into those beautiful blue eyes.
December 11, 2015
So miss you, my dear friend.
Grant Kreinberg
February 23, 2015
I was an occasional hiking buddy of Nita, but in recent years our contact has been through FB. I've haven't heard from her recently and just checked on her page. I'm so sorry to hear of her passing. She was a wonderful person and will be missed.
debbie correia
January 13, 2015
may you rest in peace Nita and may your family find peace in knowing you are no longer in pain gonna miss you my friend !!!!!!!!!!
Lynn Marie Richardson
January 11, 2015
"A great soul serves everyone all the time. A great soul never dies. It brings us together again and again". ~Maya Angelou
You will be missed sweet Nita.
A hui hou kakou!
Rick Bays
January 11, 2015
Very sad. I remember her from high school. Thoughts & prayers to her family & friends.
Lori Heebner Walters
January 10, 2015
So sad to hear about the passing of Nita. Ashlee and Lindsey - I used to babysit you both when you were very young living in Watsonville; I never knew Katie, but I know you all know what a sweet and awesome mother you had. She cared about you all so much!
January 10, 2015
Prayers & condolences to the family. I am glad I recently Friended Sue Lindgren Naess or this would have been unnoticed. Nita was a good friend during our school years. Bobby Phillips
becky campos
January 10, 2015
Nita was very special. She loved her girls. She will really be missed but taught and shared so much with her children and everyone. My deepest sympathy, thoughts and prayers, Becky Campos
Don and Penny
Don Stranathan
January 10, 2015
I am so very sorry for your loss. Penny and I first met Nita on a road trip from LA to Santa Rosa. We met in a coffee shop and shared our stories with lung cancer. We all kept in touch and Penny and I ran into Nita at Stanford Cancer Center on one of our last visits about a year ago. Penny passed last January, so I understand your pain. Sending warm thoughts and prayers to her family and friends. Don Stranathan
Carol and David Forsyth
January 9, 2015
Carol and David Forsyth
January 9, 2015
Nita and Ashlee :) Ashlee, I was actually the photographer at your birth..a real honor.
Carol and David Forsyth
January 9, 2015
Nita and I talked a lot about having a family. This was taken on a camping trip...with Ashlee in the oven :)
Carol and David Forsyth
January 9, 2015
I first met Nita when we worked at the Collection Bureau of Watsonville and she fell in love with the boss's son.
Carol and David Forsyth
January 9, 2015
January 8, 2015
Love and prayers for Ashlee, Lindsey and Katie. We know she was a great mom....we watched for years. :) Cherish the memories. Our deepest condolences. The Williams Family
Kathy Rivera
January 8, 2015
She raised a beautiful woman who became a crackerjack nurse. Lindsey's love for her mother was beautiful to see. Love and prayers to Lindsey and her family. May your memories be filled with love.
Kathy Rivera
Kathy Idoine
January 8, 2015
I will always remember your strength and grace when our children were teenagers. Without doubt, my favorite gift from you was a hair wash when I was in the hospital 20 years ago. My deepest sympathies to your beautiful family.
Andrew Goldenkranz
January 8, 2015
Good thoughts to all the family, especially my girl Katie. Hope you're surrounded by good memories and lots of love.
Connie Vukasovich-Haines
January 8, 2015
You will always be remembered for your kindness, love of all animals,gorgeous blue eyes,and beautiful smile. I will never forget you...thank you for all the support...you are loved and will be missed by all.
Connie Vukasovich-Haines
January 8, 2015
You will always be remembered for your kindness, gorgeous blue eyes, and beautiful smile. I will never forget you and all the support you gave me...you will be truly missed by all.
January 8, 2015
Seeing you always put a smile on my face. I remember walking together at RDM you told me something I'll never forget,"touch the wall." I will.
stephanie ivanov
January 7, 2015
May the light continue to shine through those blue eyes. Rest in Peace my friend
Stephanie B Ivanov
Jan Burgstrom Roach
January 7, 2015
To Nita's Family~ May the pain in your hearts be replaced by the many happy memories of a life well lived. Nita was an awesome woman. With deepest sympathies~ Dave and Jan Roach
Pam Hendrix/Abercrombie
January 7, 2015
She will truly be missed. Her beautiful eyes and her special smile would always light up our lives. So very sorry for your loss.
christy mandon
January 7, 2015
Sending love
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