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Nancy Dewees Obituary

Nancy Harbett Dewees Died Wednesday, May 24, 2006, in San Francisco of complications from ALS. Born Dec. 12, 1939, in Miami, FL, she was the daughter of E. John "Slim" Harbett and Evelyn Wishart Harbett. Nancy was a graduate of Miami Edison High School and the University of Florida where she earned a degree in French and Spanish. Nancy moved to San Francisco in 1962, and returned to school to obtain a teaching credential and then again for a masters in ESL/Linguistics. A woman of great wit and curiosity, she earned affection and respect from students and colleagues alike with her warm, skillful, and wry manner. Her last teaching position was with the Academy of Art University. Had she not contracted ALS, she would be in the classroom today. Nancy is survived by her husband of 40 years, Michael F. Dewees; sons, Jason of San Francisco and Nathanael of Los Angeles; sister, Helen Harbett of Durham, NC; and stepmother, June Harbett of Miami, FL. A Gathering to remember Nancy is planned in San Francisco at a later date. Contact [email protected] for further info. Thanks are in order to the staff at Kaiser Hospital and the ALS Center at UCSF. Donations may be made to: UCSF Foundation at UCSF, UCSF Box 0248, San Francisco, CA 94143-0248; include 'ALS Center' in memo section of check or online: https://makeagift.ucsf.edu/

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by San Francisco Chronicle on Jun. 1, 2006.

Memories and Condolences
for Nancy Dewees

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Daniel Burton

June 6, 2006

I will always remember my cousin as a warm and outgoing person who always made you feel good just being around. She has as some the rest of our family left us all to soon. I only wish that all of us had been able to be as close in proximity as we were growing up in Miami. She will always be remembered by myself and family. Thanks for letting me say goodbye.

Sue Burton

June 6, 2006

Nancy Jo, as we knew her in the 60s when we visited with our second cousins in Miami, FL., was a poised young lady with energy to spare. My child-memory is one of a very confident & life-loving person. I'm happy to see my cousin did not change over the years. My condolences to her family and friends.

Karen Burton

June 5, 2006

My memories of my cousin, Nancy Jo, are of her as a young woman (high school or college years) in Miami, Florida. She had a lovely, warm laugh and seemed very grown up and sophisticated to us. Regret that as adults we never really got to know her better. So thanks to everyone for sharing your stories and comments. My thoughts are with Helen as I can only imagine how hard it would be to lose a sister.

David Dale

June 5, 2006

Nancy and I were friends at Miami Edison and and our friendship continued when Dennis Germaske and I moved to San Francisco. She was a fine person and will be missed.

Deanna Mooney

June 5, 2006

I will miss my neighbor, photographer, and friend. My thoughts are with her family and friends.

Chris Yavelow

June 2, 2006

My condolences to Mike and the rest of the family. I met Nancy in the 1990s when I lived in L.A. (or was she at the Sausalito house when we visited in 1965?). More recently, we enjoyed her visit with Mike in Zandvoort, the Netherlands. I regret we won’t be able to spend more time together. I hope the fact that she is now at peace will be a comfort to all who knew her.

annie rudy-rosemeyer

June 2, 2006

Nancy made all of our lives richer. She always had time to listen to others and I'm still not sure if her husband, Michael, ever managed to beat her in a game of tennis. It's difficult to imagine a world without such a warm and wise spirit. We love her.

Scott Foster

June 1, 2006

Nancy came into my life with a razor wit and sense of irony only exceeded by her ability to create an oblique and terrible pun that sent the rest of us scurrying to the dictionaries. She accepted all of us mortals kindly. She will be missed.

Gerald "Jerry" Lowe

May 28, 2006

I, too am a Miami Edison 1957 graduate and wish to express my condolences. Also, Nancy, her mother and sister lived next door to us on 52nd St off Miami Avenue during our H S years. Nancy was a lovely and talented lady. This is 50 years back but I still remember her. May she rest in peace and comfort come to those who mourn.

Nancy Landers Bursk

May 27, 2006

I am a 1957 graduate of Edison and want to send my condolences to the family.

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