Lasting Memories

Katharine “Nan” Anne Blackledge
Nov. 16, 1924-July 14, 2016
Palo Alto, California

Nan Blackledge, 91, passed away peacefully on July 14, 2016 at The Sequoias in Portola Valley, California with family by her side.

Katharine Anne “Nan” Bolender was born November 16, 1924, in Los Angeles, California to Louise (Kelly) Bolender and Joseph Bolender. Nan’s grandfather William Kelly was owner and editor of the Palo Alto Times newspaper. Nan graduated from Palo Alto High School and Stanford University with a B.A. in biology. Nan was a member of the Chi Omega sorority at Stanford. She earned a Master’s Degree in Physical Education at San Diego State University.

Nan was married to Francis Haxo from 1946 to 1954. They had 2 children, John and Barbara.

From 1954 to 1960, Nan was married to Conrad Limbaugh, having 2 daughters, Peggy and Nancy. Nan was married to Edgar Blackledge from 1974 to 1991. Nan was a teacher in the Palo Alto Public Schools for many years. As “Mrs. Limbaugh”, she coached a winning swim team, taught P.E. at junior and senior high schools, and formed a popular after-school Folkdance Club.

Before teaching in Palo Alto, Nan had various jobs. In the 1950’s in San Diego, CA, Nan assisted her husband Conrad Limbaugh in his marine biology research. She also worked for Dr. Carl Hubbs at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography’s biology laboratory. A small undersea animal called a nudibranch was named after Nan and her husband Conrad: Cadlina limbaughorum, The Limbaugh’s cadlina. Nan began teaching P.E. in the La Jolla Public Schools in the early 1960s. She also performed folk dances with the Cygany Dancers of La Jolla. She moved the family back to her home town of Palo Alto in 1965 and taught in Palo Alto for the remainder of her career.

As our beautiful mother, Nan was always singing around the house, doing handstands on the front lawn, dancing, swimming, riding her bike and making us laugh. She was interested in people of every culture. Nan enjoyed knitting, horseback riding, quilting, picking wild huckleberries, scuba diving, skiing, bodysurfing, camping, hiking, traveling and tap dancing.

Nan had many adventures traveling the world, often bringing the children with her. She spent time in the Bahamas, Mexico and Spain. Nan traveled to Thailand, Japan, Ecuador, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Andorra, Liechtenstein, France and Holland. She took in a Guatemalan student and a student from Spain to live in her Palo Alto home.

When her children were grown and Nan retired, she didn’t slow down one bit! She competed in the Master’s Swim Program. In 1994, Nan won a medal at the La Jolla Rough Water Swim. In 2001, Nan won 9 medals at the United States Swimming National Short Course Championship in Santa Clara, California, in the 75-79 year age class. When Nan was in her 80s she won 2 gold medals in the International Swim Competition held at Stanford. Nan regularly folkdanced in Menlo Park and Palo Alto. She also loved spending time with her grandchildren.

Nan moved to the Sequoias retirement community in Portola Valley, California, 21 years ago. She was excited about the friends she made there and the many activities available. Nan joined the Lawn Bowling team, square danced and loved swimming in the pool. She volunteered to help tutor staff members in English skills. She took a Spanish class and worked out in the weight room. Nan enjoyed being an “elf,” hostessing the staff Christmas party, and even tried salsa dancing! She had many dear friends among both the residents and staff members at The Sequoias.

Nan is survived by her children John Haxo (Karen) of Roswell, Georgia, Barbara Phillips (Herb), of Oakland, Peggy Sharp (Bill) of Yakima, Washington and Nancy Limbaugh of Thetford Center, Vermont, her grandchildren Heather Phillips (Bashir Anastas), Claire Phillips (Chad Hanson), Michelle Haxo (Victoria Ogrizek), Rachael Haxo, Sophie Wood, Eli Wood and Hazel Wood, as well as a few other beloved relatives.