Laguna Beach, CA

Nancy Kathleen Lusk, age eighty-one, passed away peacefully on September 13, 2024.

A dedicated visionary and leader, Nancy served for many decades as a Trustee of the UC Berkeley Foundation, earning the prestigious title of Berkeley Fellow. She graduated from Berkeley where she earned her BA in 1965. Her numerous accolades include the UC Berkeley Foundation’s Wheeler Oak Meritorious Award (2000 and 2003).

Nancy was also a Board Member of the Fisher Center for Real Estate and a member of the Lusk Center School of Planning Policy and Development at the University of Southern California. Additionally, Nancy served on the Haas School of Business Advisory Board as well as the Advisory Board at the School of Public Health at UC Berkeley (with a focus on genetic counseling), the Advisory Board of the College of Natural Resources at UC Berkeley, and the UCLA Head & Neck Surgery Executive Advisory Board.

As the CEO of The Lusk Company and M.A.N. & Associates, Nancy made significant contributions to both her community and the industries.

Her passion for agriculture shone through her work as a cattle rancher and farmer at her Feather River Cattle Company Ranch in Sierra Valley, CA. She has always been deeply committed to Nuestros Pequenos Hermanos. She and John Lusk were part of the original benefactors more than 50 years ago. NPH is a home in Mexico for children and 8 other Latin American countries where she helped to grow the farm program.

Her love for horses, cows, Africa, and lion cubs reflected her adventurous spirit and profound appreciation for nature. Additionally, she was the proud sponsor of the 1988 U.S. Olympic Water Polo Team and a long-time member of the congregation at Olympic Valley Chapel in Olympic Valley, California.

Nancy was an inspiration to all who knew her. She was so warm and welcoming, so brilliant, so funny, and so fiery. Above all, she devoted her life to her family who were the center of her world. She will be remembered for her kindness, strength, and unwavering and generous support.

Nancy is survived by her loving husband, Michael Smith; daughter, Kristen Smith and son, Robert Lusk from her marriage to John D. Lusk; son-in-law, Bill Smith; daughter-in-law, Julie Lusk; grandchildren, Macy and Weston Smith, Robbie, Jordan, Mckenna, and Blake Lusk; and great-grandson, Henry Lusk.

A reception for Nancy will be held on Saturday, October 19, 2024, from 10:00 AM to 12:30 PM at Rose Hills Memorial Park, Garden View Reception. Following the reception, a funeral service will take place from 1-2PM at Rose Hills Memorial Park, Hillside Chapel, located at 3888 Workman Mill Road, Whittier, California 90601.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to NPH, Nuestros Pequeños Hermanos, at www.nphusa.org/nancy.