Nancy Bloomer Deussen
Feb. 1, 1931-Nov. 16, 2019
Mountain View, California
Submitted by Jennifer Bloomer DeGuzman

Nancy Bloomer Deussen was born February 1st, 1931 in the Bronx, New York City, NY, and died November 16, 2019 at El Camino Hospital, in Mountain View, CA, at age 88. She was a long time resident of Palo Alto, CA, and more recently Mountain View, CA.

Nancy was a pianist and composer through and through, studying music composition at both Juilliard and then Manhattan School of Music, where she earned her degree in composition, and later getting her degree in music education from University of Southern California. She wrote melodic classical music, with a talent for writing music that was accessible to the listener. She was one of the most prolific composers in recorded history, composing music up until this very year for musical groups of all sizes. She was also a music educator, arts organizer, nightclub pianist, piano tuner, and piano accompanist for many years. She considered herself a "vintage pianist" and was hired by many in the peninsula to play her smooth piano arrangements of popular tunes.

She was a leader in the community, heading up the first Bay Area chapter of a composers organization (NACUSA), as well heavily involved in the National Pen Women's Association, and the Fortnightly Music Club. She was the recipient of many awards, including the Bay Area Composer's Symposium Performance Award for her orchestral piece, "Reflections on the Hudson", Peninsula Community Foundatation grantee, Arts Council Silicon Valley grantee, and First Prize Winner for “Woodwind Quintet” (Mu Phi Epsilon), among others.

Nancy was a dedicated mother who raised her 3 children mostly as a single mom. She was also known for her engaging sense of humor and smile, her passion for gemology, and her love of collecting and making jewelry. She possessed an inner strength, and a belief that we all have the ability to overcome whatever challenges life may bring us. She believed that where there’s a will, there’s a way, and she proved it repeatedly in her own life.

Nancy is survived by her husband of 37 years, Gary Deussen, her two daughters, Jennifer Bloomer DeGuzman and Elizabeth Bloomer McComb, and her four grandchildren, Gabriela DeGuzman, Daniela DeGuzman, Delmar McComb, and Aidan McComb.

Tags: arts/media, teacher/educator