Nancy Weeks Rossen
Dec. 20, 1932-Aug. 19, 2024
Palo Alto, California

Nancy Weeks Rossen (b.12/20/32)

We celebrate the life of Nancy Weeks Rossen, who passed away surrounded by family on August 19, 2024. Nancy was a pioneer in many ways throughout her life. Born in Galveston and raised in Houston, she ventured far away from Texas to attend Stanford University where she majored in Education and Economics and obtained her Master’s in Education. Marrying Robert (Bob) Weeks of San Francisco (d 2000) their senior year ’54 after meeting in freshman English class, they then traveled east where she taught in Maryland while Bob served in the Army.

Upon their return to California she taught elementary school in Palo Alto before having 3 children. She remained involved in her synagogue leading the youth group and various committee positions at Beth AM, and she also tutored math to kids.

Nancy, encouraging adults not to fear math, created and taught “Math for Mathaphobics” locally at Foothill College and at Lawrence Hall of Science. At Lawrence Hall of Science she also participated in the early years of the Math-Science Network for girls, creating/teaching a math for girls summer course to encourage girls in math and science. Meanwhile as a lifelong learner, she studied art history at Stanford and became a docent at the Cantor Museum of Art, specializing in colonial silver and Rodin.

Her continuing studies and passion for teaching led her to become an early Certified Financial Planner (CFP); after a few years she struck out on her own to become one of the first independent planners, pioneering one of the first fee-only financial planning firms in 1981 that charged hourly for advice and specialized in helping people who needed to plan their futures. She especially enjoyed helping educate women and all clients to take charge of their financial lives. She was involved early on the board of the ICFP as the industry developed standards of practice. She was joined in the firm in 2002 by her daughter Carol Acker who continues her legacy today at Nancy K. Weeks Associates, LLC.

Meanwhile Nancy was always participating in her countless community circles, as a pink lady at Stanford Hospital, volunteering at the Bay Window kitchen in Menlo Park, bringing friends and neighbors food when needed. Additionally, she diligently supported and encouraged her children’s many activities. She was involved in her children’s schools (rarely missing a game, swim meet, concert or show). She was active in her Stanford Alumni Association and class reunions, served on the boards of the Palo Alto Adolescent Services Council, Avenidas, and Avid Bank and served as the first president of the Moldaw Residents Association. Most recently she was a board member at Moldaw and a member of its finance committee.

Nancy was tirelessly and profoundly social. She thrived on seeing friends and family, traveling, exploring museums, ballet, symphonies, concerts and theater of all types, locally and in San Francisco and wherever her travels took her. Her hobbies included needlepoint and sewing, and she enjoyed Mahjong, sports and mystery shows. Beloved matriarch, “Nana” played a prominent role in the lives of all of her grandchildren, enjoying shopping and lunches and special trips as well as attending their activities. She was even spotted wearing Blue and Gold at a Cal swim meet. She rarely missed a good party, especially with family in attendance. She was a true foodie, and favored the end of a good fresh loaf of buttered bread above all: “Better than cake” she always said, as had her Dad. If she liked the outfit you were trying on, "that's yummy". If one was headed for adventure, to give a theater performance or compete in a game, "Toi Toi Toi" would be exclaimed. And, after discussing something important, "I'm glad we had this little conversation".

She was preceded in death by her parents Carrie and Matt, brother Jules, husband Robert Weeks and second husband Norm Rossen(d 2020) whom she married in 2001. She leaves her children Matt (Sharon), Mark(Cynthia) and Carol Acker(Chris) and her grandchildren (Rachael, Jacob, Sabrina, Samantha, Olivia, Rebecca) wanting more, but grateful for the time they had with her. May her memory be for a blessing.

Tags: teacher/educator, business, public service