Nancy Kissam

Nancy Kissam, a longtime resident of Sonoma County, passed away in Wilmington, VT while celebrating the holidays with her daughter, Kyra. Her death was unexpected but she died peacefully in her daughter’s arms.  She leaves behind her son, Cassady Kissam, of Santa Rosa, CA, daughter Kyra Kissam of Rockville, MD, and three grandchildren, Katalina, Kaia, and August.

Nancy was born in Yonkers, NY, the daughter of John and Olga Blecker but was eager to explore the world and started by going to college at the State University of New York at Buffalo, a hub of new American poetry and writing, met her former husband, Ed Kissam, there and came to Sonoma County in 1969. She continued to write poetry and read voraciously throughout her life.

After settling in Dry Creek Valley, Nancy began to explore the world of California nature, learning a great deal about native plants and indigenous use of plants for healing.  Her love of nature led her to become involved in environmental advocacy—against nuclear power, use of herbicides and clear-cutting in forestry.  Later in life she became a Sonoma County Master Gardener and regularly advised gardeners about native plants and led educational nature walks.  Her love of the natural world extended to regular observations of the many animals of California as well as her own at home.

Nancy was also committed to celebrating her Ukrainian heritage and became involved in community efforts in the 1980’s to build peace-oriented relationships with the U.S.S.R. and was delighted to finally travel there as part of a U.S. delegation.  She also was deeply involved in efforts to welcome refugees from the Salvadoran civil war.  Her connection to people from different backgrounds than her own was remarkable.

Throughout her life, Nancy was devoted to children’s development and education, for her own children, for children throughout the community, and, later in life for her grandchildren and their friends and families.  She taught elementary school for years at Westside School near Healdsburg and then worked in school programs throughout the Sonoma County area.

Her children and grandchildren will miss her greatly but retain their many memories of her years of good-hearted and eager support in child-rearing and time with family, gardening, visits to the Sonoma coast and forests, and walks through Annadel Park.   Her eternal sense of acceptance and adventure will live on in all the lives she touched.