From Mrs. Helen Ruby, Los Angeles, an old Fresno neighbor and close friend: So sorry to hear of Jessie's death. I always loved her and think so often of all the good times we had together.

From Adella Berry, Wife of Dr. Charles A. Berry, NASA Manned Spacecraft Center, Houston, Texas: We can none of us know you sorrow but remember a joy shared is doubled and a sorrow shared is lessened and we all who love you and loved Aunt Jess share this sorrow with you"

From Effie Nance, Los Angeles: I know so well the road you are travelling and yet we both have so much for which to be grateful. I share you loss for Jess to me was a loved sister.

Olive Nance's Lettter:

Dear George:

Ever since we returned from Fresno, I have been wanting to relate to you my personal feelings concerning Jess. I have hesitated to do so, for I know what brings comfort and solace to some is anathema for other. However, I have decided to judge you reaction in accordance with my own. I do not know what I would have done without my memories and others to share them with me.

There are those we meet and know along the way that influence us and make indelible impressions upon our lives. Jess was one who did just hat for me. I always considered her a very genuine, wonderful and sincere person. I also considered her an ideal wife and mother. She inspired in me the desire to emulate those virtues.

As a young married woman, she was so much help to me in so many ways. I thought I knew something about cooking, but I found out when I was on my own there was so much I didn't know. She helped me over the rough spots. I shall always remember the church recipe book* she loaned me with so many good recipes in it. It called for a pinch of this and a pinch of that and a dime's worth of various ingredients. There was no oven temperatures given. It was not necessary as there were no oven regulators. At that time, we were doing our cooking on a crude gasoline stove.

Jess taught me how to make corn bread, potato chips and delicious candy. She taught me how to make a checker-board cake, doughnuts and a delicious frozen fruit salad (the hard way). There was no mechanical refrigeration in those days. She taught me how to cut up a chicken. I thought perhaps I had forgotten how, but I reassured myself that I had not as I watched her prepare a chicken the week end we spent with you. I could go one ad-infinitum, but suffice it to say that she gave me much assistance at a time when I needed it most.

When Genevieve was a baby, I do not know what I would have done without her help and guidance as I felt so helpless. She helped me through the colic stage and the various stages that followed. I shall always remember the first time Genevieve fell off the bed. I ran with her in my arms to Jess for assurance that she was not permanenlty injured. Genevieve grew to love her so much. She enjoyed being with Jess as much as she did with me. Jess was always so generous with her time and had more patience than I. As Genevieve grew older she looked forward with great anticipation to the summer vacations she spent with you in Fresno. She was very fond of all of you.

We were so happy when you moved to Kern City and had the opportunity and pleasure of renewing our relationship. While we didn't get to see you as often as we would have liked, it meant a lot to us to know you were near. Of course, the telephone was always handy. I enjoyed so much my conversations with Jess. I feel sure that Jess enjoyed those last two years. It was a change with new incentives. I think perhaps she was a little more frail than any of us realized. I knew she was getting anxious to get to the new location where you both would have less responsibility. She was so unselfish and always did more than her part, perhaps more than she should have done. Knowing Jess though, she would never have been happy had she now been active to the very last.

I am so grateful for the few days we had with you both in your home, just one week before she was stricken. We discussed so many things about the past and also about the future. I consider it a privilege to have known her and to have had the opportunity of having my life influenced in part by her wisdom and sterling qualities.

Because you had such a wonderful and happy life together these many years, I know you fell your lost intensely. At the same time, you must find comfort in the fact that you were at her side, to comfort her, to administer to her needs and protect her to the end. There is also cause for gratitude that you have such a wonderful family to sustain you.

These are some of my memories and my innermost thoughts that I wanted to share with you. I hope they have helped you - not hurt you. To paraphrase the poet, Michael Angelo (I believe it was) Jess has made her life sublime. And departing left behind her, Footprints on the sands of time.

With love,

Olive

*The church recipe book was published by the Ladies of the Christian Church of Marion Illinois over fifty years ago. It is still in use but badly worn.

My Grandfather noted in the Memorial book, "Michelangelo is one word not two. He was an Italian painter and sculptor. Olive's quotation was by Longfellow."

From Katherine Bates (a fellow worker with me for many years). It was so thoughtful of you to want to share your letter with others. I don't think I ever read such a beautifully written letter or such a lovely written tribute to anyone. You should feel doubly blessed that you had such a wonderful person to share so many years of your life.

From Lotta Baimbridge McNutly of Santa Barbara: Thanks for the copy of the letter from your sister-in-law. It's a beautiful letter. I would be pleased if someone could say nice things about me when I am gone.

From Mrs. Leda Fizgerrell of Springfield, Mo. She indeed was a grand person in every way and I have always loved her. She was so much like Roe's Mother (Jessie's halft sister) who I always said was one of the best persons I ever knew - always so good and thinking of others.

From Mrs. Marjorie Swenson, Minneapolis, Minn. Thank you for allowing me to read your letter which I found to be very enlightening and ver comforting to you - it must be.

From Clarence and Isabelle Nance, Thermal, California: Thank you for sending copy of Ollie's letter to us. She is such a wonderful person. I am sure all the family felt the same way about Jessie and we all miss her.

From Gertrude Chatfield, Stillaguarmisth Country Club, Arlington, Washington

(Mrs. Chatfield's letter was addressed to our daughter and her her daughter-in-law, Jane Chatfield)

Among the many cards I received was one from your Father, Jane. He enclosed a copy of a letter from your Aunt which was an unusual and beautiful tribute to your Mother. I have never read a more comforting and appropriate tribute. I feel privileged to be included among the friends of a noble woman.

Think

Think of stepping on shore

and finding it Heaven;

Think of taking hold of a hand

and finding it God's hand;

Think of breathing new air

and finding it Celestial Air;

Think of feeling invigorated

and finding it Immortality;

Think of passing form storm and

tempest to an unknown calm;

Think of waking up and

finding it home.

Jessie Lucille Nance was one of the sweetest, most lovable, most self-sacrificing individuals ever born.

She was the last of her immediate family, also separated from her nieces and nephews when we moved to California, so she drifted closer and closer to the Nance family. She shared their joys and their sorrows and I am sure she was accepted by all the Nances one hundred percent.

We must now again say: Goodbye Mom - May God bless you and may you rest in peace.

George H. Nance

Leroy F. Nance

Jane Nance Chatfield

George H. Nance, Jr.