Nancy Tibbitts, UCD employee and career adviser of 25 years, passed away last Tuesday. Tibbitts is survived by her three children, husband and parents. She was 51.
Tibbitts worked as a coordinator at the Internship and Career Center (ICC) on campus, specializing in agricultural, animal science and food and wine career guidance.
“Nancy was truly inspirational to me as a career adviser … always positive and open to help others,” said Jeff Yoshimura, a UCD graduate and president of National Ag Marketing Association, which Tibbitts worked for as an adviser.
One of Tibbitts’ most celebrated accomplishments is the establishment of Camp Adventure on the UC Davis campus. The camp, which Tibbitts founded three years ago, sent students abroad to serve as camp counselors on military bases.
“[Tibbitts] gave students the opportunity to do bigger and better things,” said Karen Moser, a sophomore communication and sociology double major. “For me, going abroad, being on my own and working with kids was one of the best experiences of my life, and she wanted that for us; she loved that opportunity.”
Tibbitts founded and ran the program because of the positive impact it had on military families and the transformative experience it gave students, according to an obituary written by her family.
Tibbitts was born in San Francisco and grew up in Belmont, where her parents, Norbert and Constance still reside. She and her husband, George, founded Tibbitts Farming Company, which produces rice and other crops in Lodi, Calif.
She received a degree in agricultural education at UC Davis in 1980, and later a master’s degree.
“Nancy was a devoted wife, mother, daughter, sister, friend and colleague who brought sunshine to everyone she met,” Tibbitts’ obituary reads. “Her life was, in essence, devoted to her family and to the service of others, especially students.”
A memorial service will be held at St. James Catholic Church on 1275 B St. in Davis today at 11 a.m. A reception will follow afterward in the St. James Memorial Center.
“Nancy will truly be missed by all who she has touched,” Yoshimura said.
LAUREN STEUSSY can be reached at campus@theaggie.org.
