Nancy Ann Brown (Ridenour) began life’s journey in Huntington Beach, California on February 6th, 1942, to parents Rachel Elizabeth Lamb and Lawrence Kibler Ridenour.
A fourth generation Californian, Nancy enjoyed a childhood of horseback riding and swimming in her beloved Pacific Ocean. She started her days with a morning’s solo swim around the Huntington Beach Pier. An all-round athlete, Nancy swam, bowled, played softball, and golfed.
While on the Drill Team at Orange Coast College, she performed as the “Big A” in the “Pirates” formation. She gets Jack Brown’s attention. It took a few years, but they married and joined forces as parents with the birth of their son, Rick, in April 1962. Daughter Lisa came into the family in 1965.
The young couple raised their children in Southern California, in the area that becomes Rancho Cucamonga. Enjoying long family drives to Big Sur, Nancy developed her love of Morro Bay, with her mantra becoming “When I retire…”
A 1988 Lotto ticket blessed her and Jack, allowing them to fulfill their dream. They found that house on the hill where Nancy could read her books on her deck and cherish her sunset view of Morro Rock.
They buy a second vacation home in the small mountain village of Wrightwood, California. The town was a special destination for her and Jack. Here they dined at the Blue Ridge Inn Restaurant. Nancy opened Wrightwood Gifts and Antiques with her dear friend Charles Briska. After closing the business, Nancy worked part time for Nan and Don Fisher at Park Place Realty. After almost thirteen years of mountain living, they leave Wrightwood to live full time in Morro Bay in the 1990s.
Nancy held many jobs before her early retirement at age forty-seven. She served as a teacher’s aide and worked as an antiques dealer. However, she took no occupation more seriously than being the mother of both of her children. And wow, she knocked that one out of the park!
Nancy lived to laugh and bring a smile to everyone’s face. At this, she succeeded, which brought her joy. Her life of laughter ended peacefully on the morning of November 11th, 2022.
Cherished in remembrance by many family members and friends, she leaves behind her husband Jack, children Rick and Lisa, grandchildren Ashley and Tom, and her newest joy, great granddaughter Lydian, and grand-dog Mel.
Nancy’s immediate family will create a memorial Facebook page where friends and family can share stories and give tribute to this amazing woman. The family asks that any direct donation in her name go to her longtime favorite organization, the Woods Humane Society in San Luis Obispo.
