Yolo County CA Obituary Project Obituaries.....NELSON , Florence "Flo" LILLARD  July 8 2002
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Peggy B. Perazzo pbperazzo@comcast.net August 13, 2004, 11:43 am

"The Davis Enterprise," Thursday, July 11, 2002
Florence L. Nelson

Florence "Flo" Lillard Nelson died on July 8, 2002, after complications with
Parkinson's disease which she courageously battled the past few years. She was
73 years old.

Born on Aug. 9, 1928, she was a native of Davis as were her parents, Walter and
Anna Hoag Lillard.

She was a lover of life and believed a person could do anything if the desire
was strong enough. This was evident in her passion for flying. With the
financial backing of her parents and big brother, she was in the first
graduating class at the University Airport. She graduated and flew solo at 16.

After graduating from Davis High School with the Class of 1946, she attended
Sacramento City College, where she was a member of the ski team and symphony
orchestra. She was a charter member and past Worthy Adviser of the Davis
Assembly of Rainbow Girls. She was also the first state officer appointed from
that assembly.

An avid sportswoman, she was a member of a synchronized swimming team and
high-diving exhibition team in her youth. Until a knee injury prevented her from
hitting the slopes, she enjoyed downhill skiing for more than 25 years. She
played softball with the Marcus Auto Supply team from Sacramento and the
Woodland Merchants. She was also a 50-year member of the International Women's
Bowling Congress.

During her tenure as a vice president of the Alameda County Women's Bowling
Association, she attended many national IWBC conventions and tournaments. She
was secretary/treasurer of the University Women's Bowling League for 25 years.

Prior to her marriage to Robert Nelson, she was a flight attendant with United
Airlines. She then moved to Berkeley where she attended UC Berkeley and was a
Cal Bears supporter in addition to maintaining her loyalty to Aggie sports.

In 1967, she returned to Davis with her three daughters and was employed at
UCD's Institute of Government Affairs. After 32 years of service, she retired in
1991.

At the age of 65, she took up golf and became a member of the Davis Women's Golf
Club as well as the Monday Niners Club. She enjoyed attending play days at area
courses. She was also an active member of the Sutter Hospital Auxiliary, where
she worked in the Surgery Center until she was no longer able.

Her passion for sports was demonstrated by her commitment to Aggie athletics.
She served on the Board of Directors of the Cal Aggie Booster Club while
employed on campus. In recognition of their Aggie loyalty, she and her sister,
Laureene Hunt, were presented with a UCD insignia watch at the Hall of Fame
function. Her love of Aggie sports came early in her life when her parents would
wrap the kids in blankets, pack them in the car and drive onto the track field
to watch football games.

For many years, Lake Tahoe was her home away from home. The Oregon coast,
Hawaii, Santa Cruz and Disneyland were also favorite vacation destinations.

Always the optimist, she insisted that there would be no sad songs for her, but
rather a celebration of her life attended by those who shared her life.

She was preceded in death by her daughter, Janet Sue Nelson; her brother, Emery
Lillard; and her sisters, Beth Schwartz and Laureene Hunt of Davis.

She is survived by two daughters, Marilyn Harris and her husband Rich of
Anchorage, Alaska, and Nancy Rose and her husband Michael of Sacramento; seven
grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and her niece, Linda Helvick, and
great-niece, Dana Helvick, both of Davis.

A memorial service will begin at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at Davis Community Church,
412 C St. A reception will follow in the Fellowship Hall. The graveside service
will be private.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that rememberances be made to either the
Emery Lillard Grant-in-Aid Fund at UCD (for information, contact Marci Pieratt
at 752-0188) or to Yolo Hospice, P.O. Box 1014, Davis, CA 95617.


Additional Comments:
Submitted with the permission of the "The Davis Enterprise," 315 G Street,
Davis, CA 95616.

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