Nancy Kautz
Oct. 6, 1925-Aug. 14, 2012
Palo Alto, California

Nancy Kautz of Palo Alto, Calif., passed away on Tuesday, Aug. 14, 2012. She was 86 and left peacefully, surrounded by her family. She will be deeply missed for her love, companionship, sarcasm and wit that continued to shine throughout the last days of her life.

Nancy Jean Brown was born Sept. 6, 1925, in Salem, Oregon. She attended Salem High School where she took pride in being editor of the school newspaper and earning a full scholarship to Pomona College in Claremont, Calif. She received her master's degree in psychiatric social work from Simmons College in Boston in 1950 and worked for Family Service in Boston before moving to California, where she was employed at the Menlo Park VA Hospital during the Korean War.

She became a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and worked for Santa Clara County Mental Health Services from the 1960s until her retirement in 1991. She was a provider of child and family services for the North region of the county and was active in introducing mental health programs into schools.

Nancy was preceded in death by her parents, Earl and Lida Brown, her younger brother, John Brown, and her companion of many years, Marshall Pease. She is survived by four sons, David (Francesca) Kautz of Palo Alto, Steven Kautz of Ames, Iowa, Brian (Martha) Kautz of Sebastopol, and Roger (Karen) Kautz of Nahant, Mass. She also leaves 11 grandchildren, one great-grandson, and her ex-husband, William Kautz of Prague, Czech Republic.

Private arrangements have been made with the Neptune Society. The family wishes to thank everyone who has demonstrated sympathy and support during this difficult time and suggests that donations be made to the American Friends Service Committee or other organizations working for world peace.

Tags: public service