Nancy Anstine Peer (5/10/1951 – 6/13/2018) passed away on Wednesday, June 13. She was born Nancy Kay Anstine, in Kearney, NE, to Robert and Jean Anstine. Nancy was raised in Boulder, Colorado, where she spent her youth hiking and camping the front of range of the Rocky Mountains. She graduated from Boulder High School in 1969, and then studied at Colorado State University, in Fort Collins. She earned her B.A. in History, from Northern Illinois University, in Dekalb. She was married to John Peer in 1971.

Nancy moved to Northern California in 1977. She worked as a paralegal, among other things. She had a daughter, Katherine, in 1981, and a son, Jeffrey, in 1983. Nancy committed many years to raising her children, working as a stay-at-home mom and volunteering extensively at their school, Kensington Elementary, where she was even the PTA. president. Nancy later found her calling as an elementary school teacher, a profession that allowed her to share her profound love of learning with so many.

Nancy was a beloved teacher at J.O. Ford Elementary School in Richmond for over two decades, where she touched the lives of generations of students. She had a passion for teaching American History and California History, for leading field trips and introducing young people to the history and beauty of their state. Even after retiring from teaching in 2014, she continued returning to Ford to work as a substitute teacher. She felt a deep affection and dedication to her school and she was truly cherished by the whole community.

Nancy had lived in the East Bay since 1983, looking out on the water from the hills that she loved so much. She will be remembered for her infinite kindness, her generosity of spirit, her sparkling smile and her sweet laughter. She was a good friend to all; a devoted sister, aunt and cousin to her family; a loving and patient mother of her two children; and an adoring grandmother and tireless playmate for her grandson, Ethan.

Nancy’s memorial will be held on July 16^th, from 1-4PM, at the UC Botanical Garden, at 200 Centennial Drive, Berkeley, CA  94720

In lieu of flowers and to celebrate Nancy’s passion for education, we are directing donations made in her name to the P.T.A. at J.O. Ford Elementary, in Richmond, where she taught for over twenty years. We can’t think of anything that she would have wanted more than to share her love for learning with the young people whom she spent so much of her life teaching. Donations will go towards buying more books for the school library and improving it as a place to foster a love for learning in the next generation.  Checks can be made payable to the “Ford P.T.A.” with a note in the subject line reading, “Nancy Peer Memorial Fund.” They can be mailed to the Ford P.T.A. at 2711 Maricopa Ave, Richmond, CA  94804.