Lasting Memories

Nancie Basques Smith
Dec. 19, 1932-Aug. 6, 2012
Mountain View, California

Nancie Smith was born in Hardin, Montana on December 19th, 1932. She came to the San Francisco Bay Area as a child and lived here for the rest of her life. Preceded in death by her parents, Nancie is survived by her sisters, Connie Vigil and Corrine Salgado of Stockton, California, Mary West of Modesto, California and brothers Simon Basques of Milbrae, California and Tony Zapata of Quinlan, Texas. She was preceded in death by her brother, Ralph Basques and her sister, Triny Seifert of Gilroy, California. Nancie is also survived by seven of her ten children. Ray Basques of Santa Clara, California, Vera Stange of San Mateo, California, Steve Ledesma of Jacksonville, Florida, Ophelia Skiver of Los Altos, California, James Ledesma of Red Bluff, California, Gloria Barker of Genesee, Idaho, and Sylvia Kappelmann of Menlo Park, California. She was preceded in death by her sons Robert Paul and Jerome Luis, and her daughter, Nancy Rachael.

Nancie is survived by 18 grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren. She will be remembered by her numerous nieces and nephews and their children as well.

She lived life with passion and possessed a constant curiosity about the world around her. She took great pleasure in her grandchildren and great grandchildren, always wanting to go to the hospital to be one of the first people to hold the new baby. She loved reading, puzzles, was an avid viewer of All My Children, loved Pepsi, Kentucky Fried Chicken, The Grateful Dead and never met a cup of coffee she didn’t like.

She participated in an art class at the Alzheimer’s Center in San Jose. She enjoyed the craft and music programs there.

Nancie passed away quietly at Los Altos Sub Acute and Rehab Center in Los Altos, California. She courageously and valiantly fought Alzheimer’s Disease first at home with her long time home health aide, Marshella Collins, and with the loving care of her granddaughter, Rachel Kappelmann Jonas, and her grandson, Nolan Skiver, and then the skilled nursing staff who continued her care with respect and gentle kindness.

We thank the family and friends who came to visit and support us during this difficult time. A Celebration of Life reception will take place next Saturday at 1 PM to honor her memory and share stories.