Nancy Elizabeth Lem

Nancy was born on July 7, 1929, in Oshkosh, Wisconsin to John Chuck Lem and Lun Fong Cheung Lem, the seventh of their nine children. Nancy graduated from Oshkosh High School. From the University of Wisconsin-Madison she earned a Bachelor’s degree in Virology (1951) and a Master’s degree in Library Sciences (1967). In 1967, Nancy moved to Mountain View, California and became the Project Manager at Hewlett-Packard’s Technical Information Center, where her career spanned 25 years.

Nancy enjoyed traveling the world and was a big supporter of the arts. Her love of classical music, ballet, and opera was evident as a long time member of the San Francisco Ballet Association, the Smuin Contemporary Ballet, and the San Francisco Symphony. She also enjoyed visiting the Asian Art Museum and volunteering with HP retirees elementary science education programs, Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts, and the Chinese Community Center of the Peninsula.

She appeared in the 1999 documentary “We Served With Pride: the Chinese American Experience in WWII” along with 27 others telling the untold story of the 20,000 Chinese-Americans in the military and civilians supporting the war effort. Nancy was proud to have represented the family during a visit to the Oval Office at the White House. She met President Bill Clinton who was recognizing those involved with the documentary.

Nancy will be remembered for her strong will and friendly smile. Her ardent support and love of family was evident through her generosity with her eighteen nephews and nieces and many grand nephews and grand nieces while attending their milestone life events.

Nancy is survived by her sisters, Sara Erve of South San Francisco, CA and Grace Chapman of Medford, OR. She was preceded in death by her parents, John Chuck Lem and Lun Fong Lem and her siblings: Abel Lem, Clara Li, Paul Lem, John Lem, David Lem, and Mary Low.

Nancy will be laid to rest next to her parents in Madison, Wisconsin during a private service. Those wishing to make memorial donations may consider the University of Wisconsin Foundation in support of the Mr. and Mrs. John Chuck Lem Endowed Scholarship Fund at 1848 University Avenue, Madison, WI 53726-4090 or a charity of your choice