Nancy Peterson Howard

Nancy graduated from Roosevelt High in 1946 and attended Fresno State majoring in Art. She married Kenneth E. Howard in 1949 and together they built their used brick home where she started her homemaking career. They had three children, Janet, and twins David and Douglas. Being a homemaker, she always had an entry for the Fresno Fair, winning many ribbons for her sewing and baked goods.

Nancy was a member of the First Methodist and Wesley United Methodist Churches. She was active in the church choir and acted as a Financial secretary for many years. The church was an important part of her life.

In 1967, Nancy entered the work force as the Librarian for Webster Elementary School where she introduced and inspired the students to the wonders and adventures of reading. In 1970 she started a new career at the Fresno County Court House working as a Courtroom Clerk for Superior Court Judge Blaine Pettit. She eventually became the manager of all the Courtroom Clerks. She loved her job but after many years retirement called.

Nancy has always loved the outdoors. She was a member of the Sierra Club, Tree Fresno and Sierra Foothill Conservancy. As a member of the Fresno Bike club she not only biked around Fresno, she went on many bike trips through the California Wine Country, Martha's Vineyard, Austria, Denmark, and Italy. She loved to hike with the "Wednesday Walker's", and the Sierra Club exploring trails in California. She was very grateful for the friendships along the way and adventurous spirit of being with her friends.

Nancy, a lifelong artist worked in various mediums including oil, watercolor, ink and charcoal all types of textile arts including knitting, embroidery, quilting, and sewing everything imaginable and continued well into her 80's creating lovely paintings. She was a member of the Fiber Guild, Fresno Camera Club and volunteered her time to the Fresno Art Museum and she was a member of Friends of the Library. She also loved gardening.

As a member of the Fresno Community Chorus she traveled worldwide giving concerts in Italy, Israel, Scandinavia and the People's Republic of China included a climb up to the Great Wall of China. She had a very adventurous spirit and so enjoyed traveling the world visiting Italy, Israel, Egypt, France, Spain, England, Ireland, Mexico, Canada, Denmark and Eastern European Countries.

She was especially connected to her cousins that lived in the area always making time to meet for lunch, celebrate birthdays and take special trips. In addition, she still met with or communicated with her high school girl friends, lifelong friends.

The family would like to thank Optimal Hospice for their care and support.

Nancy was preceded in death by her father Walter Roy Peterson; mother Helen Irene; and sister Peggy Pollard.

She is survived by her daughter, Janet Stewart and her husband Jim; sons, David Howard and his wife Joyce and Douglas Howard. She leaves three grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

In Spring a celebration will be planned. Please email [email protected] for any information.

Remembrances may be made to the donor's favorite charity.