In Memory

Nancy Kent (Brown) - Class Of 1951

Nancy Kent Brown passed away peacefully, February 26, 2011, surrounded by family at her home in Aptos, California.  Nancy had been diagnosed with esophageal cancer in November 2009 and was committed to giving it her best effort, maintaining a positive outlook, and keeping a sense of humor throughout her illness.  Nancy was 77 at the time of her passing. 

On November 29, 1933, Nancy Millwee Kent was born to George and Ophelia Kent in Los Angeles, California.  Nancy first attended school in Westwood, CA and later moved to the San Marino and Pasadena areas of Los Angeles.  Following her high school graduation from South Pasadena-San Marino High School, Nancy attended the University of Colorado in Boulder for a year.  She then returned to California and graduated from UCLA with a bachelors degree in English.  While at the University of Colorado, Nancy became a member of the Kappa Kappa Gamma Sorority.  Kappa became a passion of Nancy's, providing her with life-long friendships and many rewarding experiences, travel, fundraising, and fellowship.  Nancy held the position of president of both the Los Angeles and the Santa Cruz Alumni Associations.

In 1954 Nancy was married to Michael J. Brown and remained married for 38 years.  She is survived by her brother George "Tal" Kent of Lewiston, California, and her best friend, "Boo" the cat.  Nancy's children and grandchildren all reside in Santa Cruz county and include:  son and daughter-in-law, Kent and Jane Brown and their two children; daughter Gretchen Brown and her son; and daughter Stephanie Brown and her beloved dog Suki.

Nancy Brown was a generous, active, fun-loving woman, dedicated to her children and grandchildren. She had a great sense of humor, was very forgiving, and was always there when you needed her.  Nancy was blessed with her family, many close friends and enjoyed many different satisfying activities with them.  She loved gourmet cooking and entertaining friends and family.  She loved her time experimenting with new recipes and preparing delicious meals from her well-appointed kitchen.  Nancy loved eating out, especially long lunches with family and friends, discovering new local restaurants, and enjoying a nice glass of Chardonnay.

Nancy always loved the ocean, enjoying its beauty and excitement from her seaside home.  Some of her most cherished memories were those of the many happy hours spent cruising the Pacific Ocean around Southern California, especially the many extended family stays on board the boat, anchored at Avalon and the West End of Catalina Island.  She loved "rock n roll" music including The Rolling Stones, The Who, Led Zeppelin, Eric Clapton, and Steely Dan.  She was every kid's favorite carpool mom, allowing popular music played with the volume turned way up. 

Nancy also loved to travel.  She spent many years vacationing in Cabo San Lucas with her family and after moving to Santa Cruz, she made trips to France, Italy, Hawaii, South America, Greece, the Caribbean, and the railway tour on The Orient Express.  Some of her most memorable trips were along the Danube River, South Africa, and her trip to South America, where she thoroughly enjoyed the wildlife she experienced on the Galapagos Islands.

Nancy supported several charities and dedicated much of her time to volunteer work.  She opened her home for charitable events and could often be seen preparing dozens of sandwiches for the musicians and members of the Santa Cruz Symphony League.  In addition to charitable activities, Nancy was active with "Newcomers" and had great experiences and fellowship participating in "Happy Cookers".  "If there were only more Nancy K. Browns, what a wonderful world it would be!"

Santa Cruz Sentinel, March 6, 2011