Nina J. Webster

1942 - 2014

Nina Joyce Webster, 71, of Pasadena passed away at City of Hope on August 5 with her two children by her side. Nina was born in Los Angeles on November 4, 1942, the second of three daughters to the late Francis Coleby and Helen (Burge) Webster. She graduated from Los Angeles High School in 1960. In 1964, she received her undergraduate degree as a dental hygienist from the University of Southern California, where she was a member of the Delta Gamma sorority. According to her yearbook, "`Hang Loose Nina' had the distinction of always being the last in her seat. While the rest of us panicked into class five minutes early, the sight of Nina coolly swinging into the room was invariably the signal for class to begin."

Nina embarked on a more rigorous academic pursuit the following decade when she enrolled in law school and graduated with her law degree from the University of Southern California in 1978. She joined the Los Angeles Office of County Counsel, where she spent many rewarding years representing the Los Angeles Unified School District, the Los Angeles County Transportation Commission and the newly formed Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA).

After exploring her Mormon heritage as a young person, including confirmation as a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 1955, Nina subsequently married in the Episcopalian church. In her later years, she developed a more universal sense of spirituality and faith that informed her outlook on life and brought her comfort and peace.

Second only to her love for family, Nina relished nature, animals, and spending time outdoors. From horseback riding and playing with the family dogs as a girl, through African safari and Eaton Canyon nature walks, to bird watching next to the koi pond at the home she shared with her late husband in the San Rafael Hills, Nina embraced nature and all its creatures, great and small. Reflecting on the range of wildlife that traversed her yard, she wrote, "All of them catch my eye and steal my heart." Nina also enjoyed tending her rose garden; snuggling with Olivier; playing bridge with friends; watching the Daily Show and Colbert Report; traveling and shopping with her daughter; playing Words with Friends with her son; and every activity with her two granddaughters - the lights of her life.

A beloved mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend, Nina is survived by her daughter Candace, son David, sisters Donna and Ginger, and granddaughters, Evelyn and Esmé. She is dearly missed and will always be in our hearts. A celebration of Nina's life will be held for family and friends in Pasadena in September. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to The Leukemia And Lymphoma Society through the following link: www.lls.org/pages/calso/InMemoryofNinaJoyceWebster