NINA NESBIT PIERCE
1927 - 2022
Nina Nesbit Pierce, 94, of San Clemente, California, passed away at her home in the care of her loving sons on March 3, 2022. Nina was born in Upland, California in 1927 and was the only child born to Gordon and Frances Nesbit. Nina is survived by her sons, John Gordon and Peter; and her three granddaughters, Katherine, Megan, and Jacqueline. She was preceded in death by her parents Gordon and Frances, and her husband, Jack.
Nina grew up in the Pomona Valley, CA. While she was an only child, she was surrounded by a tightknit family of aunts, uncles, and cousins, as well as friends who would last a lifetime. Nina, a third-generation Californian, would remain in California for college when she attended Stanford University. Nina met her husband, Jack, at Stanford, where he was a graduate student. Nina, an avid sports fan, was quickly won over when Jack took her to a San Francisco 49ers game for their first date, and they married one year later. They moved to the Bay Area, where Nina worked as a substitute teacher before they moved to Hemet to start their family. Nina stopped teaching but remained involved in the community through various philanthropic pursuits. While living in Hemet in the early 1950s, she took part in the production of California’s iconic outdoor stage play, The Ramona Pageant, fittingly starring as the matriarch, Senora Moreno. Nina was indeed larger than life and brought that energy to all her pursuits; a lifelong Republican, she ran for Congress in 1984 and 1986 and was the president of the Chaffey Community Federated Republican Women’s Club in the watershed year of 1980, when she tirelessly worked to successfully elect Ronald Reagan to the Presidency. Not surprisingly, she was a guest at both of President Reagan’s inaugurations. She was also a member of the Upland Chapter of PEO, was a founding member of the OPARC Auxiliary, and was a life member of the Assistance League of Upland (to include serving as President) and the Assistance League of Capistrano Valley, as well as serving as a Director on the National Board of Assistance League. While she devoted herself fiercely to volunteering and philanthropy, she also knew how to have fun. Nina loved to travel with her husband Jack, and they frequently traveled all over the United States (especially Hawaii) and to Europe as well. They also loved playing golf together. Nina was also an expert homemaker, an excellent cook, and had an impeccable taste for home design and fashion, which were on full display when she threw the best parties in the neighborhood.
A memorial service will be held on May 6, 2022 at 1PM at Stone’s Funeral Home, in her beloved city of Upland. In lieu of flowers, people are encouraged to donate to National Assistance League in her honor.