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Nancy Shelly Obituary
06/18/1930 - 02/06/2025
Nancy Ann Hardgrave Shelly passed away in San Jose, California on February 6th, 2025, at 94 ¾ years of age. In this long and well-led life Nan (as most knew her) was horsewoman, physical therapist, Religious Science minister, wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She was an active friend, a caring counselor, a mountain lover, and a dedicated gardener.
Nan was born and raised in San Francisco, California. Her father Dr. Lloyd Elliott Hardgrave was a well-known pediatrician and a UCSF professor. Her mother, Kathryn Chesnutt Hardgrave had been a surgical nurse before she married and was happy to teach first aid during World War II.
Nan attended Laguna Honda Elementary School kindergarten thru 8th grade. She was chosen as a contestant in the national radio show "Quiz Kids" to represent San Francisco. She graduated from Lowell High School in 1947 where she had served as vice president of the student body. She made many friends and maintained those friendships throughout her life. She attended UC Berkeley studying physical therapy. There she joined the Delta Gamma Sorority, enjoyed numerous activities and made lifelong friends.
The couple purchased their Lake Almanor house in 1975, enjoying the spectacular views of Mt. Lassen, making new friends, and reconnecting with Nan's nearby Taylorsville and mountain relatives. They moved to Los Gatos, California in 1995 where Nan enjoyed many happy times with her cousins and her bridge group at Rinconada Hills.
Nan is survived by her husband of 71 years Michael Bruce Shelly, her oldest son Scott Lloyd Shelly (wife Brenda), daughter Anne Shelly Baumgarten (husband John), and youngest son Reed Carl Shelly (wife Ellen). Nan has five grandchildren: Lowen Shelly Baumgarten (wife Kristina Backstrom) Austin Baumgarten, Katie Shelly, Maeve Shelly, and Basha Shelly. Nan was blessed to have met her great-granddaughter Lila in September 2024.
A memorial service for Nan will be held on Sunday, March 16, at Saratoga Federated Church, Saratoga, CA, at 2pm in the Chapel.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
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