Nanci Williams-Newell's Obituary
Nanci Jean Williams Newell was born in Los Angeles California on November 9, 1958 to Dr. Mathew A. Williams and Vira Kennedy Williams. Nanci grew up in San Diego with her sisters, Linda “Michan”and Pamela. She attended schools locally at Horace Mann Middle School and Patrick Henry High school. She graduated from high school at the young age of 15 and joined her older sister Linda at Chapman College. There Nanci graduated with a BSW degree in Social Work and later at San Diego State University with a Master’s in Social Work. She studied for and received a LCSW (Licensed Clinical Social Worker).
Nanci was the first black lifeguard at the San Diego Parks and Recreation. She worked at the Colina and Martin Luther King Jr. pool in Southeast San Diego. In school she was well known as the school DJ and marched with community leaders for a better tomorrow. In her youth, Nanci also earned a black belt in Karate Tang Soo Do and Tae Kwan Do. Even as Nanci progressed in age she was still able to do the splits and a sidekick.
Upon graduation from San Diego State University, Nanci moved to Houston, Texas to start her career. In Houston, Nanci gave birth to two beautiful daughters (Edrianna and Eddeja) from then husband Eddie Newell Jr. There she worked at the Association for the Advancement of Mexican Americans, the Lationo Learning Center and the DePelchin Children’s Center. In 1990, Nanci was offered her dream job at Kaiser Permanente in her hometown of San Diego, California. For 30 years, she worked for Kaiser Permanente in San Diego County as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in the Psychiatry Department where she worked with children and their families.
Nanci was a warm and friendly person. She enjoyed meeting friends and helping others everywhere she went. In her spare time, Nanci enjoyed feeding the ducks at Lake Murray and the birds at J Street Marina. Her hobbies included crafts, caring for the neighborhood children, fun trips to the San Diego Zoo with her mother, church gatherings, and supplying those in need with food. She belonged to the Southeast Presbytgerian Church.
Nanci J. Williams Newell passed on August 17, 2020 surrounded by close family members
Nanci leaves to mourn her passing, yet treasure her memories, her daughters Edrianna J. Pierre and Eddeja R. Page; mother, Vira K. Williams; sisters, Linda (Michan) Lucas and Pamela Williams; grandson, Marquis (MJ) Page Jr.; Nieces, Leilani Hernandez, Allegra Taylor, and Elizabeth Brown; nephew, Wynston Taylor, and beloved dog, Scobby Doo.
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