Nancy Marie Van Huffel 1942-2025
PALM DESERT, Calif. — Nancy Marie Van Huffel, daughter of Albert and Mary Van Huffel, passed away peacefully Tuesday, May 6, 2025, in her beloved Palm Desert home. She was in the company of her spouse of over 50 years, Fran David; her dear friend and assistant, Lance Smith; and her beloved golden doodles, Paddington and Ryder. Nancy was a courageous and longtime survivor of both breast and lung cancer, eventually succumbing to a recently diagnosed metastatic disease — melanoma. This obituary was primarily written while she was alive so that she could supervise and approve of what was said. This will surprise no one who knew Nancy.
Born Sept. 7, 1942, Nancy was a child of the 1960s and a vocal advocate for peace throughout her life. She was raised in a Catholic family and educated in Catholic schools from first grade through college. She never chose to align herself with any structured religion or particular congregation. However, she was an early adopter of the principles of the Civil Rights Movement and was an ardent defender of equal rights for all people, regardless of color, gender, religion, sexual orientation or any other characteristic that others may use to artificially differentiate among their fellow humans. She never abandoned her commitment to treating all beings with respect, fairness and kindness, always maintaining a soft spot in her heart for any friend, acquaintance or associate she perceived to be in economic need.
After graduating from Ursuline College in Kentucky, Nancy began her career in public service at the Ohio State Employment Office in Cleveland, beginning a lifelong commitment to serving those with limited incomes, restricted opportunities or other life and economic challenges. She continued this ethic of service while working with the Bay Area Urban League in job development and placement in San Mateo County, eventually becoming Director of the Contra Costa County CETA program.
Nancy took a break from direct service to become a successful real estate broker and entrepreneur with her spouse, Fran David. She later returned to public service as the Administrator of the San Lorenzo Village Homes Association in San Lorenzo, California, where she served for over 25 years. Throughout her professional life, Nancy remained dedicated to public service, serving on various boards and commissions in both Contra Costa and Alameda Counties, including the Alameda County Grand Jury and the Oakland Citizens Police Review Commission.
She was most proud of her long and successful tenure as President of the Eden Area League of Women Voters. Nancy remained ardently committed to voter education and to the right and responsibility of every citizen to vote. She believed deeply in the twin duties of all people living in a democracy: to educate themselves about the issues and candidates in each election and to proactively cast their vote.
Nancy arrived in the Bay Area around 1967. She and her spouse, Fran met in 1974, married in 2013, and were together for over 50 years. They formally celebrated their 50th anniversary in 2024 with friends, boating on San Francisco Bay in homage to their 2013 wedding celebration. Nancy and Fran have been Oakland residents for nearly their entire adult lives, purchasing their first home in the Oakland Hills in 1976. In recent years, they split their time between Oakland and their home in Palm Desert.
Nancy was a take-charge woman who enjoyed the company of friends and family. She loved socializing over food and drink, and playing cards or board games — particularly if small wagers were involved, as long as everyone paid their gambling debts at the end! She loved getting together with friends and family especially when it involved storytelling, recalling good times, and laughter.
Nancy was an avid and accomplished world traveler and golfer until her health no longer supported these pursuits. She and Fran played golf whenever and wherever they could — throughout California and in places such as Australia, Ireland, the Caribbean, Florida and many other locations worldwide.
This warm, outspoken, in-command, woman will be sorely missed by all who knew her. Those who had the privilege — and occasional challenge — of engaging with her strong personality, unwavering commitment to justice and equality and steadfast honesty, will feel her loss most deeply.
Nancy is survived by her spouse of 50 years, Fran David; her sister, Kathleen Bermingham of Petaluma; six nieces and nephews; multiple grandnieces and grandnephews; and a cadre of very dear first cousins.
In lieu of flowers or gifts, please consider donating, in Nancy’s memory, to a favorite local charity dedicated to the college education of young people with limited funds or opportunities, especially young women pursuing STEAM occupations.
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