Obituary of Nancy Louise Beall McGann

Nancy Louise Beall McGann died peacefully at home of natural causes, surrounded by her husband and family on September 2, 2011. Born in Reedley, California on November 8, 1925, Nancy was raised in San Jose by parents Albert W. Beall and Marion Bocks Beall. Her family descended from the original pioneer homesteaders of Santa Clara Valley. The family was involved in the fruit industry of the Valley including farming, storage, and canning. Nancy attended UC Berkeley, and was a Delta Gamma Sorority sister, and president. She met Benson Richard McGann, president of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity after Ben's return from duty in WWII. Benson and Nancy wed in San Jose on December 27, 1947. Ben started his medical studies in New York City, where they lived until returning to Santa Clara and Salinas. They settled in Los Altos and built their first home on Mora Drive. Ben established his family medical practice at Loyola Corners in 1953. Nancy was always involved in community affairs and charity activities. She was a committed volunteer and leader of the El Camino Hospital Auxiliary and Allied Arts Guild. Her dedication to the family tradition of involvement with Chapter G.M. of P.E.O. and Cupertino De Oro continued throughout her life. Nancy's passion for art led to her achievement of Masters in Art from San Jose State. Always a creative person, she shared her passion with others by teaching art classes and contributing her work to charity organizations. Her best known local work was commissioned by the SCCMSA Scholarship Fund as an artistic document of historic barns in the region. Note cards were created from her work and sold to benefit the charity. Her artistic talent was notably strong in sculpture, watercolor, and oils. Nancy is famous for her strong devotion to family. She especially enjoyed teaching her grandchildren pottery and painting. She nurtured a love of the outdoors through camping, hunting, and fishing. Nancy was famous for always returning with the biggest Klamath steelhead of the day, sharing her best pheasant recipe, and cooking the best apple pie ever. Nancy had a great passion for gardening, flowers, and planting her beloved redwoods at the family timber preserve in Mendocino County. Nancy enjoyed world travel with Ben, even to exotic locales. Her trips to China, Turkey, and the Himalayas brought many objects of art to her collection. She returned several times to isolated locations, and was known to deliver simple school supplies to children to their delight. Nancy is survived by her dedicated husband Ben of 63 years, her younger sister Alberta Munger of Los Altos, son Donald and wife Christelle, of Las Vegas, son William and wife Josie, of San Francisco, grandsons Grant McGann, DDS and wife Sara Kleven McGann, of San Diego, Melissa McGann Cilley and husband Dave, of Boston, Miles and wife Calli, of Ladera Ranch, Ca, Tara McGann Friedman, DPT and husband Alex of San Francisco, Andrew McGann of San Francisco, Garrett McGann of Hope, Idaho, and great grandchildren Keegan (5), Logan (3) and Lily (2). Nancy's sister Frances Beall Shoemaker preceded her in death in 2008. Our family is especially appreciative of the devotion, care, and love of Sakala Samate in making Nancy's last year's comfortable and engaging. Nancy will be remembered for her strength, beautiful art, love of family, and charity to others. A memorial service is scheduled at Spangler Mortuary in Los Altos, and a private family burial at Oak Hill in San Jose. For remembrances, please support Nancy's favorite philanthropy, The PEO Star Scholarship, at PEO International 3700 Grand Avenue, Des Moines, Iowa 50312.




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