Nancy Perrich Pratt's Obituary
Nancy was born to Andrew Perrich and Borghild Doty Johnson Perrich on March 25, 1924. Born at home on Stanton Avenue, Nancy spent much of her life in Castro Valley. One of her favorite tales of the old times was when the “revenuers” came during the depression and took an axe to her dad’s wine vats. The wine was running down Stanton Avenue while the revenuers were dipping their fingers in saying that it was the best they’d tasted!!
Nancy was a 1942 graduate of Hayward High School. She later graduated from a secretarial college in San Francisco. One of her first jobs was as a secretary to the head physician at the newly-opened Kaiser facility in Oakland.
Nancy’s humble roots on the chicken ranch did not hold her back from seeing the world and living a full life. With her then husband, she spent over a year in the Philippines while the dam was built in Baguio. She also lived in Iraq for a time, but she always returned to Castro Valley.
Nancy’s love of travel had her traveling the world. She took a freighter on a world cruise, visited China, and had multiple trips to Europe. She sailed on many cruise ships and cruise lines, making multiple trips to Mexico, Alaska, the Caribbean, New England and the Maritime Provinces. She was always willing to go on a cruise or travel to a distant port.
Nancy was also willing to go shopping, and if she was getting tired she could be rallied by being told there was a sale at the store ahead and the shops were about to close. While visiting her roots in Yugoslavia, she took a one-day trip to Venice and was so excited because they took credit cards in Italy! She especially enjoyed seeing the Lipizzaner stallions in Lipica, Slovenia and the Spanish Riding School in Vienna, Austria. While her niece accused her of trying to get her arrested because of crossing in and out of Italy several times in one day, she never failed to get to her destination!!
Nancy is survived by her two nieces, Carolee Perrich and Sonza van Herick, her nephew, Bob Perrich, her 11 great and great-great nieces and nephews, her God-daughter, Robin Golden, and her many friends. For the past two years she has lived in a care home in Castro Valley, and she was especially fond of her care-giver Cornelia Nastac.
Nancy was born in Castro Valley and it was in Castro Valley that she came to her final rest on September 5, 2016. Inurnment will be at the Chapel of the Chimes in Oakland. As per her request, there will be no formal service.
Nancy was always very generous to her friends and relatives. She genuinely enjoyed giving. I am sure she would be pleased if you make a donation in her memory to Disabled American Veterans or to the Wounded Warrior Project..
What’s your fondest memory of Nancy?
What’s a lesson you learned from Nancy?
Share a story where Nancy's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Nancy you’ll never forget.
How did Nancy make you smile?