- Date Of Birth: January 27, 1930
- Date Of Death: June 6, 2014
- State: Idaho
Nancy Marie Robins Zadra
Born 1930~Died 2014
Our beloved mother, Nancy, died unexpectedly, but peacefully, at home from natural causes on Saturday, June 7, 2014. At Mom’s request, she was cremated and will be buried next to her beloved husband, Robert E. Zadra, Lt. Col. (ret.
Nancy was born on January 27, 1930 in Baltimore, Maryland as the youngest of three children. Her parents were Raymond Rodney Robins, of Michigan, and Ruth Richards Robins, of New York. Grandpa Rob and Grandma Ruth met at a mixer and dance held at Smith College where Ruth was a student, when the co-eds invited the “handsome young gentlemen of the West Point Military Academy” to join them. Grandpa Rob penciled himself into every open line of pretty Ruth Richards’ dance card. The couple married and, several years later, had three daughters, Priscilla, Mary Ellen, and Nancy Marie. The Robins family, being career military during WWI and WWII, were posted to many spots all over the world and the United States. During their second tour of duty in Germany Nancy met a dashing young Captain, Robert “Bob” E. Zadra. Unfortunately, he was dating her older sister, Mel. After Mel decided that she and Bob didn’t suit, Nancy decided that she and Bob did!
Nancy and Bob were married on September 3, 1955 in Fairbanks, Alaska. Postings to Germany, the Nevada nuclear test site, the Presidio in San Francisco, and many other places ensued. A year after their marriage came their first daughter, Robin, closely followed the next year by their second daughter, Laura. Robin was named for her father and Nancy’s maiden name and Laura was named for Bob and Nancy’s favorite song. Bob and Nancy loved to dance and spend time with friends at the Officers’ Club. Bob had a wonderful voice and sang all of the popular songs, especially Dean Martin and Andy Williams tunes, to his beloved wife. Nancy was well known for “not being able to carry a tune in a bucket” much to the hilarity of her family. Nevertheless, long family road trips always had everyone singing Rodgers & Hammerstein songs at the top of their lungs, including Mom.
Nancy worked as a professional secretary for several years after graduating from the Katharine Hamilton professional secretarial school in Washington, DC. She was highly sought after for her skills, including typing at 110 words per minute and taking shorthand. She was the Executive Secretary to several military base Commanding Officers from the time she finished school until her marriage in 1955. At the age of 36, once her daughters got older, she decided to go to college and get her teaching degree.
Nancy’s true calling was to be an incredible mother.
In California, Seattle and Boise, she had many interests and friends.
Nancy was preceded in death by her husband, Bob; her parents, Robbie and Ruth; her sisters, Priscilla and Mary Ellen (Mel); and her beloved dogs, Beau, Zeke and Teddy. She is survived by her daughters, Robin Navert (Richard) of Eagle, Idaho and Laura Valles (Peter) of The Woodlands, Texas. She loved her six grandchildren very much; Robert Navert, Emilie Valles, R. Scott Navert, Hannah Valles, Ryleigh Navert, and Cassidy Valles. She is also survived by her beloved nieces and nephews: Dula Talbott (Bill), Greg Goss, Alexis Goss, Richard Henry (Paula), Connor Henry, Rob Henry (Anne), Ruth Willbanks (Charles), and Savannah Willbanks. She also very much loved her “chosen daughter,” Elvia Gustavson (John), and their daughters, Sara and Marissa. She is also survived by her beloved little poodle, Zack.
