Nancy Kittredge Jellison

Nancy Kittredge Jellison passed away peacefully on December 7, 2021 at the age of 83, after a long battle with dementia.

Nancy was a gifted artist whose paintings and drawings were informed by her spirituality and faith. She believed, as she wrote in her artist’s statement, that the role of the artist is to make “the light of our purpose a bit more visible, by stimulating the viewer to see one’s own personal universe, with a new range, of inner, and even mystical, perspective.”

Nancy was born in Ellsworth, Maine to Milton and Beatrice Kittredge. Nancy graduated from Calais Memorial High School, and attended the University of Maine where she earned a bachelor’s degree in theater, because there was no art program at the time. While at the University of Maine, she performed in numerous plays, and was a Dean’s List student, as well as a member of the National Honor Society.

Nancy later attended the University of Miami where she earned a master’s degree in theater. She then moved to New Orleans, living and painting in the French quarter for five years. In 1969, Nancy moved to San Diego to be closer to her family, and for the next decade, she painted professionally while also teaching art and theater in area high schools. It was in San Diego that she met the love of her life, her husband Robert (Bob) Jellison, who she married in 1979, becoming a devoted stepmother to Bob’s two children, David and Jennifer.

In the 1980s, Nancy retired from teaching and devoted herself full time to her art. Her paintings and drawings were shown in art galleries from San Diego to Boston. Nancy’s art is in many private collections including the San Diego Museum of Art, the Laguna Beach Museum of Art, and the Archives of the National Museum of Women in the Arts in Washington, D.C.

Nancy was a devoted member of St. Peter’s Episcopal Church. She was also passionate about the welfare of animals, and she adopted many fortunate cats over the years. Throughout her life, Nancy also enjoyed attending plays at the Old Globe theater, attending Southern California area art exhibitions, and traveling.

Nancy leaves behind her devoted husband, Bob, her loving sister, Patricia K. Hagan, her two stepchildren David and Jennifer, their respective spouses Erica and Troy, and two step-grandchildren Katie and Anna. Nancy will be lovingly remembered by all for her exceptionally loving and caring spirit.

A memorial service is scheduled for Saturday, December 18, 2021 at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Del Mar, followed by interment at the El Camino Memorial Park - Sorrento Valley. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Nancy Kittredge Jellison scholarship fund for students attending the University of Maine, at: our.umaine.edu/NKJ