Local Historian Nancy Thatcher Is Dead at 68

Nancy Thatcher, a local historian who was instrumental in preserving Heritage Hill Historical Park, has died at the age of 68.

Thatcher died Tuesday after suffering a heart attack. A memorial service will take place Friday at 3:30 p.m. in the historical park, 25151 Serrano Road.

Thatcher was a member of the Orange County Historical Commission and a past president of the Saddleback Valley Historical Society.

A Huntington Park native, Thatcher moved to Lake Forest with her husband, Wayne, 72, about 15 years ago and immediately became involved in the movement to save several historic buildings that were slated for destruction.

More than 16,000 visitors now tour the four historic buildings in the park each year.

“She felt that the population of Orange County was growing so fast that it was encroaching on everything historical,” said Patricia Eby, current president of the Saddleback Valley Historical Society and a longtime friend of Thatcher.

“She thought it would get to the point where it would be very difficult for future generations to find any of the old ways of living,” Eby said.

As a member of the county Historical Commission, Thatcher represented the Saddleback Valley, helping to add significant places to the county historical register.

But Thatcher’s main affection was saved for Heritage Hill, particularly during the holiday season, when the historical preserve is decked out in turn-of-the-century Christmas decorations.

“We spent many a day threading a needle through cranberries and popcorn” to string over a Christmas tree, Eby said.

In addition to her husband, Thatcher is survived by daughters Tracy Thatcher, 34, of Aliso Viejo, and Kim Hecht, 31, of San Diego, and a grandson.