Nancy Elizabeth Strauss
April 28, 1938-May 10, 2021
Palo Alto, CA

Nancy Elizabeth Strauss, 83, of Palo Alto CA, was born on April 28th, 1938 in Buffalo, NY to Alice and Rudy Klatt. She was a devoted wife, mother, mother-in-law, grandmother, great grandmother, sister, and friend. She passed away peacefully on May 10, 2021 with her family gathered around her.

After graduating high school, Nancy attended the Bellevue Hospital School of Nursing where she became a Registered Nurse. While at Bellevue Hospital, she met Dr. Eric Strauss, and they were married in 1960. Nancy and Eric moved to the Presidio in San Francisco as Eric was serving in the US Army at Letterman Hospital. After they finished their service in the Army, Nancy and Eric settled in Palo Alto where they raised their children: Ralph, Jonathan, Roger, and Ellen.

As her children grew older, Nancy returned to nursing at El Camino Hospital in Mountain View, CA, working in the Ambulatory Surgery Center. Once she completed her nursing career, Nancy started a floral business in Portola Valley, CA called “Nancy’s Garden” which she operated for over a decade.

Nancy cared deeply for people as a nurse, brought joy to people with her beautiful flower arrangements, and loved to create incredible meals for family and friends. Her recipes are remembered, praised, and re-created today. Her greatest joy was always her family. Nancy loved a family gathering and always wanted to help coordinate the smallest details. She loved being with her family, listening to their voices, and savoring each moment together.

Nancy had a special place in her heart for the community of Brentwood. She attended countless school functions with her grandchildren and was an active supporter of the Brentwood Union School District Education Foundation.

Nancy is survived by her husband of 61 years, Eric Strauss, her children; Ralph, Jonathan, Roger, and Ellen, her daughters-in-law; Debbie, Lori and Karen, her sister Carolyn Parker, her twelve grandchildren; Adam, Kenny, Rebecca, Hannah, Matthew, Allison, Jack, Emily, Will, Abbey, Zach, and Tori, and her two great grandchildren; Ben and Charley.