Nancy Susan Tackett

Nancy Susan Tackett, was born July 27, 1951, at Hand Memorial Hospital, in Shenandoah, Iowa, to David S. Tackett and Arlene M. (Sugden) Tackett. Nancy entered into eternal rest on September 1, 2026, in Walnut Creek, California, at the age of 75.

Nancy attended school in Shenandoah, Iowa, and in Essex, Iowa, graduating from Essex High School with the Class of 1969. She attended night classes at Hayward State University (renamed as California State University East Bay), earning her Bachelor of Science Degree in Computer Science in 1995.

Nancy served in the United States Air Force, from January 1970, until January 1974. She was stationed at the David Grant Medical Center located on Travis Airforce Base and the NORCAL; Vietnam Era.

Nancy was a Supervisory Technology Manager for the United States Navy in Concord, California (1975-1996). While working for a credit card company, Nancy managed 26 engineers and computer scientists in Oakland and San Francisco, California, as well as a team in India (2000-2005), retiring in 2005.

On September 1, 1984, Nancy and Benjamin Blake were united in marriage in Santa Cruz, California, and then made their home in Martinez, California.

Nancy was a Christian and attended a small community church group until her health declined. She was a member of the Martinez water aerobic exercise group of the Martinez City Swimming Pool, participating with the group in the town’s Fourth of July parades, and as an advocate group to influence the Martinez City Council on pool access.

A special interest to Nancy was growing and showing daffodils. She was very active as a member of the Northern California Daffodil Society and the national society, “American Daffodil Society” (ADS). Nancy devoted herself to developing and supporting internet applications for the ADS, and spent countless hours on DaffSeek.

Nancy traveled to England, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, the Netherlands, France and Spain for daffodil related events.

Nancy was honored by the Royal Horticultural Society (UK), with her name engraved on the “1912 Peter Bar Cup”, for her co-development of the daffodil photo database “DaffSeek.org”. The New Zealand Daffodil Society honored Nancy as a “Life Member”. She was presented with the ADS gold medal for her contributions to the Society as President, and for her support of all ADS Internet sites, including DaffSeek.org. Through her travels, Nancy made many lifelong friends.

Nancy was preceded in death by her parents, David S. Tackett and Arlene M. (Sugden) Tackett, mother-in-law, Connie Lane, and brother, David L. Tackett. Nancy is survived by Benjamin Blake, her husband of 42 years; sisters, Lori Tackett and Kathy Wulf (Dale); sister-in-law, Denise Tackett; nieces and nephews; and her beloved cats, Simba and Nahla.

Nancy will be remembered as a brilliant person, with goals and direction. She was a true “take-charge” person, with a natural ability to lead people, and was respected by all who knew her. Nancy also had a wonderful way of making people feel comfortable and at ease with her sense of humor and storytelling. She leaves behind many cherished memories and will be deeply remembered and missed by all who had the privilege of knowing her.

No formal funeral services are planned. At a later date, Nancy’s ashes will be scattered on the family farm, rural Shenandoah, Iowa.

Any memorials should be directed to The Salvation Army (https://salvationarmyusa.org), OR to the American Daffodil Society (https://daffodilusa.org), in Nancy’s name.