Lasting Memories

Nancy Kelem
1954-Dec. 1, 2007
Los Altos Hills, California

Nancy Landau Kelem, 53, a resident of Los Altos Hills. died of cancer Dec. 1.

She was born in Los Angeles to William and Beatrice Landau. She attended Hamilton High School and received early admission to UCLA. She received her bachelor's of science degree in 1975. She completed her master's of science degree in engineering in 1978.

She was an intern for the Children's Lobby in Sacramento and at the Pentagon.

She worked as a programmer for UCLA's Department of Epidemiology. She also had a career as a computer systems analyst at System Development Corporation, working on formal computer security. Later, she moved to Trusted Information Systems and co-authored several papers on formal computer security.

While at UCLA, she met her husband-to-be, Steve Kelem. They married in 1978.

She enjoyed hiking and camping. She also enjoyed traveling and learned many foreign languages.

She was also gifted in music, playing piano and banjo, and sang in several choruses.

She volunteered as a tutor for Project Literacy in Redwood City and served in various ways as a volunteer with her children's schools.

In 2005, she became credentialed as a substitute elementary-school teacher.

When the local elementary school was closed, she helped research and found the Bullis Charter School. She went on to be an active member of her town's Public Education Committee, which researched the existing laws and politics of education in her state, county, and community.

Her political passions included helping the Democratic Party get out the vote.

She also became an advocate for cancer patients.

She is survived by her husband, Steve Kelem; and children Jeremy, Atticus and Jasmine Kelem, all of Los Altos Hills.