Ada Lee Nix, a mother and grandmother, passed away on May 30th, 2023, after battles with multiple types of cancer. On her final day, she experienced a letter from a friend, a visit from family, a chapter of a good book, a taste of homemade cooking, and loving attention from her cat – many of the things she loved most in the world.

Born in January of 1931 to Chester and Sadie Tellyer, Ada was a middle child in a family of 6. Age disparity led some siblings to lose contact over the years, but Ada remained dearly close to sister Dorothy and brother Jerry throughout their lives. Ada came into the world in Menlo Park, CA, but the family moved several times before settling in San Bernardino. Ada graduated from San Bernardino High School in 1948 and married Dale Nix shortly afterwards. The couple gave birth to two boys: Robin Nix (who has also passed, and is memorialized on the AIDS Quilt,) and Charles Scott Nix (father to Ada’s three grandchildren.)

Best friends Nanci-Jane Stark and Ada knew of each other from sharing schools as teenagers, but it wasn’t until they met again working for Pacific High School in 1962 that they struck up a friendship which would endure for 60 years. The two have traveled the country and Europe together, and not only did the two remain in contact throughout their lives, Nanci and Ada welcomed each other’s families into their own family. Together, Ada and Nanci joined the founding staff at UC Irvine in 1969 (at the time, a University of fewer than 20 students.) Nanci assisted in faculty administration while Ada handled student admissions and requirements. UC Irvine also allowed them both to pursue their own higher education as an extracurricular activity. Ada graduated magna cum laude with a BA in Art History.

Ada loved animals, with a particular passion for horses. She and her sister Dorothy would take trips to work dude ranches and ride through the countryside. She was an avid reader and appreciator of art. Her sense of humor allowed her to tolerate her family’s nonsense, to some degree. Ada will be remembered and brought to rest in a private ceremony. For those who wish to and can help a charity in Ada’s name, she was supportive of animal services such as the Humane Society. 

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