Adrienne V. Humphrey

Adrienne Vivienne Humphrey Adrienne Humphrey passed peacefully in her San Francisco home on February 22, 2021. Born February 7, 1927 in Brooklyn, NY, she was the oldest of Eugene and Ethel Maguire’s four children. She married Raymond Nelson in August 1946, and their son, Raymond Nelson, Jr. (Buzz) was born in October of 1947. In 1948, she graduated from St. John’s University (Queens, NY) with a teaching degree. In February of 1948, Adrienne and her family moved to California where she became a teacher in October of the same year. In 1949, she moved to San Francisco and taught in the San Francisco School District for 2 ½ years. In 1952, Adrienne began teaching in Daly City, where she was a beloved teacher to generations of young children. She went on to teach in Daly City for 46 years, retiring in 1994.

While teaching in Daly City, Adrienne and her friend and colleague, Kathleen O’Rourke, were recipients of the J. Russell Kent Award for creating a positive educational environment.

Adrienne was the first in her family to go to college. Her degree became the means to support others as they earned degrees in higher education, including her first husband, Raymond, her son, Buzz, and her second husband, Griffith Humphrey. She and Griff were married in 1962, and Adrienne supported their family while he went to law school.

Adrienne and her husband Griff loved to travel. She was an avid reader and enjoyed entertaining friends and family in her home. She particularly enjoyed the celebrations of the “Birthday Club” and her book club. She was a dear and lifelong friend to many. As the years went by, Adrienne also enlisted the help and support of caregivers who became close and caring friends. She will be deeply missed by family and friends.

A Funeral Mass celebrating Adrienne’s life will be on Monday, August 16th at 10 am at St. Stephen Catholic Church (451 Eucalyptus Drive), San Francisco.