Nancy Blankinship

April 21, 1948 - Nov. 18, 2024

Nancy K. Blankinship, a beloved wife, mother, sister, and friend, passed away on November 18, 2024, at the age of 76 surrounded by family. Born on April 21, 1948, in sunny San Diego, Nancy brought warmth and kindness wherever she went, leaving an indelible mark on everyone fortunate enough to know her. A proud Crawford High School (1966) and San Diego State University (1971) alumna, she traded the coastline for the country charm of Madera in 1973. Though reluctant at first to leave her San Diego roots, Nancy and her husband, Dean, made a decision to embark on a new adventure in Madera, pursuing a purpose-driven life in education. Nancy dedicated her career to education, working first as a speech therapist and then as a special education teacher. She spent her final years before retirement as the Activities Director at Madera High School, where she made lasting impacts on students and faculty alike, retiring in 2006. Nancy had the unique gift of transforming strangers into friends and friends into family. Despite missing San Diego’s sun-kissed beaches, Nancy found her place in Madera, gathering an eclectic circle of friends who became family. Her home was always open—most memorably to Kerim, an exchange student whose family became an extension of her own. Nancy, along with Dean, and their friends enjoyed being active from waterskiing well into her seventies, snow skiing, hiking, scuba diving, traveling the world, and exercising at various gyms. Left to cherish her memory and carry on her legacy of love and kindness are her daughters, Dana (Forest) Rayfield and Rebecca (Justin) Gillmor, her sisters, Joyce (Steve) Evans and Sharon (Brad) Craig, her beloved granddaughters, Kiyra Rayfield, Coral Rayfield, Kaylee Gillmor, and Olivia Gillmor, and many nieces and nephews. She is reunited with her parents, Edra M. and James L. Spears, and her dear husband, Dean, who predeceased her. Please join us in celebrating Nancy’s vibrant life January 18, 2025, from 1pm – 3pm at the Vineyard Restaurant in Madera. Remembrances may be made to the San Joaquin River Parkway (riverparkway.org) or Retired Teachers of Madera County, c/o Carol Petrucci, 1416 Riverview Drive, Madera, CA 93637, checks payable to CalRTA. As we reflect on her journey, we're reminded: "You can pack for every occasion, but a good friend will always be the best thing you can bring." And that, as we know, was always her gift to all of us.