In Memory

Nancy Hampton (Asper) - Class Of 1955

Nancy Hampton (Asper)

March 28, 1938 - April 3, 2018Nancy Jeanne Hampton Asper (March 28, 1938 - April 3, 2018) beloved mother, grandmother, and friend, died peacefully in her Palm Desert home. She was born in San Marino, California to Lawrence Hampton and Lucile Smith.

In 1961 Nancy married Merle Asper, Jr., a lawyer from Anaheim. Nancy and Merle met at a wedding. They had to drive to Santa Ana together to pick up the veil. She was the maid of honor, and he was the best man. They later settled in Santa Ana where they raised two children, Merle Asper, III and Jeanne Asper. Nancy was an art teacher in Newport Beach. She also stayed very busy in her community by volunteering her time at the Assistant League of Santa Ana Thrift Shop and with PEO.

Nancy enjoyed athletics, games and the beach where she would swim out farther than anyone else and ride the big ones. She was an avid tennis player for most of her life. Nancy played Bridge and Mahjong whenever the time would allow. She loved to travel the world, take car trips (Ghost Ranch, Lair of the Bear) and spend time with her family and friends. Nancy graduated from South Pasadena-San Marino High School and then attended and graduated from University California Berkeley, where she was a Gamma Phi Beta. Many wonderful years were spent going to Cal, Stanford (where Merle Jr graduated), and later to USC football games (where Merle III graduated). Jeannie played superstar volleyball at Hofstra University, and Nancy loved attending the games and having fun with all of Jeannie's friends. Nancy was famous to all the kids that grew up near and in her house for serving avocado on toast, fresh squeezed orange juice and a healthy dose of niacin (holy moly, hot flash!)

Nancy later moved to Marrakesh Country Club in Palm Desert where she developed many great friends and instantly became involved with Mahjong, Bridge, Lady Putters and Le Fleurs. She loved Marrakesh and the people within the 'pink wall'! During the hot summers, Nancy would move to Connecticut to visit and play loud rock-n-roll music with her daughter and grandchildren.

Nancy will be sorely missed for her energy, free spirit, loyalty, positive attitude, sense of humor and her loving heart. She is survived by her son, Merle (Kelly) Asper of Long Beach, California and daughter, Jeannie (John) Walsh of Ridgefield, Connecticut; grandchildren Lily and Alister Walsh; and sister, Sally Erskine.