Nancy Monson Granrud

I was 8 years younger than Nancy, who seemed to be an adult already doing amazing things like sailing a boat. I remember going to her graduation from Valentine Elementary School, and that she, like all San Marino teenagers in those days, went to South Pasadena High School. For college, Aunt Edith thought her girls should go to 'finishing school,' which was more social than academic. Nancy was sent to Missouri to attend the all-womens' Stephen's College. But she soon rebelled and transferred to co-ed SMU in Texas. She pledged Delta Gamma sorority and gave me a strong recommendation when I rushed at UCLA. She was gracious when I pledged my mother's sorority instead.

Then she married Bob Monson. I remember visiting them in a one-story condo unit that I think was in South Pasadena near Alhambra. Bob's family had lived in a tent for a while during the Depression, so owning his own home was a priority. They bought the house on Daveric Drive in Pasadena and raised Tracy and Terry there. Nancy maintained her family ties and liked to host a family get-together at Christmas. She preferred to serve roast beef, not turkey.  I remember one time having lunch at their kitchen table, which Nancy also used as a desk. I noticed a receipt for a donation to the National Rifle Association. I did not mention that I had just made a donation to a gun control organization, so we cancelled each other out.

Nancy worked for a tax filing service preparing customer tax returns. Bob worked for her father's insurance agency, and was supposed to take over as manager when Harold retired. But Harold decided to sell his business instead. Nancy was furious and wanted nothing further to do with her father, but kept these feelings from her daughters. When Uncle Harold died shortly thereafter, Nancy refused to make the funeral arrangements, so Tracy took charge. Nancy was devoted to her mother, though. When Edith became bedridden from Alzheimer's, Nancy moved her into the Daveric home and nursed her until the end.