Nancy J. (Vance) Evans-Sundberg
August31, 1946 - August 11, 2024
Itis with great sadness that we share the passing of Nancy (Vance)Evans-Sundberg. Nancy was born to John M. and Laura Vance on August31, 1946 in Eureka. She was the youngest of four children. Nancywas a fifth generation of the Vance and Ohman families of HumboldtCounty. Her favorite childhood memories were of the family house andranch in Carlotta and spending her summers camping at “the acre”on the Van Duzen River.
Nancyattended Elk River School, Jacobs Junior High, and Eureka High Schoolwhere she graduated in 1964. She married Gary Evans after graduationand they had two daughters; Janie in 1965 and Jennifer in 1967. Theyspent 10 years in the Bay Area and returned to Eureka in 1976 tostart the CPA firm Aalfs, Evans & Co. Nancy and Gary laterdivorced, but maintained their friendship.
In1982, Nancy attended Frederick and Charles Beauty College and becamea licensed Cosmetologist. She returned to get her cosmetologyteaching license and taught at the local beauty college. She enjoyedteaching and sharing her knowledge with others. In 1984, Nancypurchased Valley West Hair Care and in 1985 her daughter Janie joinedher at the salon. They worked side by side for 33 years.
In1991, Nancy reconnected with Victor Sundberg, a longtime familyfriend, and they married in 1993. They were able to blend theirfamilies and create fond memories over the next 31 years. Theyenjoyed spending time with their family, taking trips to visit Vic’schildren in Alaska and the San Juan Islands, spending summers at thecabin in Trinity Village, taking drives, and boat and bird watchingat Humboldt Bay.
Nancyenjoyed her profession and looked forward to socializing with hermany regular clients. In her own words, “I truly love my job! Isuspect it will be one great event that will get me out from behindthe chair for good.” In 2018, Nancy was diagnosed with Fallopiantube/Ovarian cancer and spent the following nine months living withher daughter Jennifer, and son-in-law Carl, in Sacramento whilereceiving care at UC Davis. She closed the salon in 2019 after 36years in business.
Nancywas naturally artistic and creative. During her time living in theBay Area, she took art classes at the University and continued toexplore all forms of art throughout her lifetime. She had manyhobbies: reading, gardening, knitting, cooking, painting, drawing,and jewelry making, to name a few. Her latest hobby was making‘Stamping Up!’ greeting cards. She enjoyed her yearly craftingtrips with her daughters and friends, going to craft fairs, openartists tours, and antique fairs with her daughter Jennifer andresearching genealogy with her daughter Janie. Nancy had been a proudmember of Soroptimist International of Humboldt Bay, where sheenjoyed giving back to the community and socializing.
Nancyloved being a mom, grandmother and great-grandmother. She was veryinvolved in raising her granddaughter Brittney, and then hergreat-granddaughters Kynadi and Austyn whom she adored. She lovedspending time with the girls and was affectionately given thenickname “WaWa.” The great- grandchildren were the light of herlife. She loved to tell anyone who would listen the funny things theydid or said, and looked forward to their next adventure. She attendedevery school and sporting event, dance recital, picked the girls upfrom school, read every book, and sewed every overly loved doll,blanket and stuffed animal. She was the only great- grandmother onthe playground climbing equipment or going down the slide. All thegirls were given the most precious gift in this world- herunconditional love.
Herdaughters describe her best: “Her laugh was the first thing youwould hear when she came into the room, it would make your heartsmile. Her generosity, kindness and fairness kept those she knew onthe right path. She stood up for those who couldn’t fight forthemselves, and somehow made you like yourself more after being withher. She built you up, she made sure you knew how special you were,and she always saw the good in everyone; even those that didn’thave much ‘good; to show. She was the best mom, making thesimplest nights into lifelong cherished memories. She overlycelebrated every holiday, made every birthday a special event, andbuilt so many family traditions that we still cherish: Fridaynight popcorn and root-beer float night, advent calendar gifts atChristmas, stocking stuffers of Mandarin oranges and nuts, and yourfavorite homemade birthday cake. She had a hug that can could be feltto your core. She brought love, laughter, understanding, compassion,and the ability to make even the bad situations feel ‘OK.’ Herspirit will live on in those who knew her, because a love that strongwill be felt for a lifetime. She touched our souls and we are foreverthankful, and blessed beyond words, to have felt that kind of love.”
Nancybattled cancer for six years yet always maintained her positive,happy, and stoic outlook on life. As she and her body grew moretired, she opted to be home on Hospice where she passed surrounded byher family.
Nancyis survived by her husband, Victor Sundberg; Daughters: Janie Johnsonand Jennifer (Carl) Stolnacke; Step-children: Shan (Steve) Wilbur andShawn (Eileen) Sundberg; Grandchildren: Brittney (David) Duran,Rachel (Brendan) Flynn, Erin (Tanner) Jitmongkonul, Taylor (Jason)Monie, and Lexi Sundberg. Great-Grandchildren: Kynadi, Austyn, Augustand Cooper; Sister Patrica Briggs; Brothers: Harry Vance and John(Sharon) Vance; Brother-in-law Scott(Pat) Sundberg; Nephews: John Vance, and Stephen Sundberg; Nieces:Penny (Troy) Combs, and Sara (Drew) Alldredge; Great-Nephew Tyler(Kammi) King; Cousins: Evelyn Ley Coleman and Bill Ley; and ex-husband and friends Gary (Debra) Evans.
Anenormous thank you to the UC Davis doctors and staff, chemotherapystaff at Providence in Eureka, and Hospice of Humboldt. At this timeno services are planned. In lieu of flowers, please consider donatingto one of Nancy’s favorite local organizations in her name:Humboldt County Historical Society, Soroptimist International ofHumboldt Bay, or Hospice of Humboldt.
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