Nancy Carol Kirst

Nancy Carol Kirst of Newport Beach, California entered eternal life on March 12, 2011 at 60 years of age. She was born July 13, 1950 in La Cañada, California, where she lived throughout her youth, and died on March 12 in Newport Beach. The second child and oldest daughter of Philip and Colleen Kirst, Nancy was a fourth generation Californian whose forebears were prominent early settlers of Los Angeles and La Cañada. She attended parochial grammar school at Saint Bede the Venerable, where her parents were founding members of the parish. Nancy attended high school at Flintridge Sacred Heart Academy, graduating in 1968. In 1972, Nancy graduated from the University of Southern California, where she was a member of Alpha Phi Sorority. After receiving her teaching credential the following year, Nancy moved to Newport Beach where many of her college friends lived. Nancy dedicated more than twenty years of her career as a home teacher at the high school level for the Huntington Beach School District, as well as other districts in the area. Nancy was known to be a caring, capable instructor, often requested by parents because of her effective teaching ability.

Nancy rode horses from early childhood, and participated in many horse shows at Flintridge Riding Club. She also excelled at swimming and was an excellent skier. A patriotic American, Nancy was active with various Republican organizations in Orange County. She was a loyal member of the Trojan Family, and took pleasure in serving two terms as president of the mother’s club of Alpha Tau Omega fraternity when her son Eric attended USC.

Nancy is survived by her beloved son, Eric Joseph Kirst, the light of her life and a source of great pride. She is also survived by her loving parents, Phil and Colleen Kirst of Santa Barbara, California, as well as her brother, Peter J. Kirst of Lovell, Wyoming, her sister Christine Gerhardt and her husband Ronald Gerhardt, Jr. of La Verne, California, her sister Anne Sedgwick and her husband Jonathan Sedgwick of Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, her sister Lynn P. Kirst and her husband Lynn Robert Matteson of Santa Barbara, California. Numerous cousins, nieces and nephews, as well as grandnieces and nephews, also survive her.

Nancy’s family is so grateful that she is now rejoicing in the presence of the Lord, and ask that her many friends and extended relatives fondly remember her vivacious and outgoing personality. A celebration of Nancy’s life will take place on Monday, April 4, 2011 at Our Lady Queen of Angels Catholic Church, 2046 Mar Vista Drive, Newport Beach, where a Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. Private internment will be held in Santa Barbara the following day.