Obituary of Nancy Page Ostrom

Obituary

Nancy Page Ostrom (nee Nancy Louise Page)

September 10, 1937 - August 30, 2023

Nancy Louise Page was born in Berkeley, CA, on September 10, 1937. The of second of four daughters born to Ernest Winslow Page, M.D. and Dorothy Murdoch Page, she attended John Muir Elementary School, Willard Junior High School, and Berkeley High School. An all-around athlete and an avid tennis player, she spent summers working for the City of Berkeley’s two camps: Echo Lake and Tuolumne.

Nancy graduated from Stanford University in 1959, majoring in history. She then attended San Francisco State University, becoming a licensed secondary school teacher. While there Nancy met her husband, Charles Richard “Rick” Ostrom of Walnut Creek, CA. They married on December 18, 1961, and had two sons: the late Erik Winslow Ostrom (m. Mandy) of Chico, CA and Rennolds S Ostrom (m. Anita) of San Clemente, CA. Following Rick’s completion of his Ph.D. at Claremont Graduate School, they moved to Chico, California, where Rick became a professor of Political Science at Chico State University and Nancy began her teaching career at Chico Junior High School. Affectionally known as Mrs. “O,” she taught mathematics, physical education, and social studies. Moving to Chico High School in 1983, she was the Director of Student Activities and developed a course called Immigrant Cultures. Following her retirement from Chico Unified School District, she worked in the RISE (Resources in International Studies Education) program at Stanford University. Providing materials and new methodologies for teachers in cultural and international studies, she taught workshops throughout the state. Nancy brought her love of cultures to her teaching, and a zest for life to her family, friends and her students. Many of those whom she taught still testify that Nancy was their favorite teacher at Chico High School. One student wrote, “She taught me how to live my life . . . to give your life and all that you have to others.”

Nancy and Rick traveled the world every summer, often creating and leading tours with friends and family in Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Taiwan, China, India, Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. Nancy and Rick taught at the Singapore American School in 1967-68 and then the Jakarta International School (now the Jakarta Intercultural School) from 1974-76. They collected art from all over the world during their travels.

Nancy served on the Board of Directors of the Chico History Museum. One of her favorite activities was participating in the Bidwell Park Patrol and she could often be seen walking in the early morning in the park with her dear friends Alberta Simic and the late Virginia Sherman. She had a passion for reading and was a long-time member of her local book club. Nancy especially cherished her relationships with the Stanford women of the class of 1959.

Nancy is survived by her beloved husband Rick, who resides at Amber Grove in Chico, CA; by their son Rennolds and daughter-in-law Anita Ostrom of San Clemente, CA; by daughter-in-law Mandy Ostrom of Chico, CA; by sisters Marilyn Page South of San Rafael; CA, Kathleen Page Clark (m. Tom) of Horseshoe Bay, TX; Martha Page Greene (m. Robert) of Lacey, WA; and five grandchildren: Ryan, Nicole, Reid, Katrina, and Case Ostrom.

A memorial walk will take place at One Mile Bidwell Park on Sunday October 15th at 8:30 am. Memorial donations in Nancy’s name may be made to the Chico History Museum, 141 Salem Street, Chico, CA 95928 or at https://chicohistorymuseum.org.