Nancy Ann Neeway Gilbert, age 75, passed away on December 24, 2025, in Tustin, California. She was born June 3, 1950 in Hammond, Indiana. She is survived by her husband of 51 years, Brent Gilbert, her children Matthew (Helisia) and Mary Ann Ruiz (Joey), her grandchildren Mason, Easton, Emerson, and Eevee, and her siblings Mary Lou, Jack, and Vicki. She is preceded in death by her parents, John A and Mary Ann (Mayme) Neeway. 

Nancy grew up in Buena Park, CA and graduated from Marywood High School in 1968.  She later received her Bachelor’s Degree in Health Science and her Teaching Credential from Cal State Long Beach and her Master’s Degree in Science and Health Education from Cal State Los Angeles.  Nancy began her career at Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) in 1973 as a school teacher at Washington Irving Middle School in Eagle Rock, CA where she taught junior high science for more than 35 years. Throughout her career, Nancy impacted thousands of young adults and was a colleague, mentor, and friend to many.  

Nancy lived her adult life in Walnut, CA with her husband, Brent.  Nancy retired in 2008 and became an enthusiastic quilter, often spending weeks to months on sewing projects to share with her family and friends.  She loved reading books on her Kindle and never missed an episode of Jeopardy.  Nancy’s greatest joys and accomplishments were the gift of being a mother and a grandmother.  

A memorial service celebrating Nancy’s life will be held on February 28, 2026, at 9:30AM at the Chapel of Orange. We invite all who knew and loved Nancy to join us in honoring her memory.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made in Nancy’s memory to Southern California Labrador Retriever Rescue (www.sclrr.org) or Sisters of Providence of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods (spsmw.org/donate), which were charitable organizations that Nancy supported.