Photo Courtesy of Candace Ann Photography


Nina Lacey, January 12, 1945 - March 22, 2007
The Official Obituary
Nina Catherine Johnston, age 62, was born January 12, 1945, in Sioux Falls McKennan Hospital, to Max A.V. and Helen Gray Johnston. She died Thursday, March 22, 2007, at San Diego Hospice Center from colon cancer.
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When her father returned from service in 1946, the family moved several times, including Rapid City, Bozeman, MT, and Pocatello, ID. They returned to Sioux Falls in 1960 and she attended Washington High School, graduating in 1963. She also attended the University of South Dakota.
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On August 6, 1963, she was married to Patrick Lacey, a local attorney. After his retirement, they moved to San Diego to be near family.
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Nina was active as a volunteer in many organizations. She was President of the YWCA for two years and very active with their Christmas programs, including the Santa House. She was active in the Jaycees women's organization and in Westward Ho's golf programs. She loved to travel, traveling extensively to many countries. She was an avid reader, an active participant in the education of her children, and an extraordinary grandmother, devoted to her four grandchildren, who will miss her loving care and active involvement.
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Nina is survived by: her husband; her mother in Lawrence, KS; her son Jon (Vicki) in San Diego, CA; her son Tim (Kathy) and grandchildren Rio and Roark in San Diego, CA; her daughter Lizabeth (Joe) Lacey-Gotz and grandchildren Kate and Zoey in St. Paul, MN. She is also survived by her two sisters, Peggy White (Ed) of Lawrence, KS and Salli Thompson (Gene) of Blackhawk, CA, two nephews, and her Aunt & Uncle, Lila and Clete Thompson of Mesa, Az.
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No memorial is planned other than a private family event in San Diego, CA. Gifts are unnecessary but may be directed to the Ronald McDonald House or another charity benefiting children in Nina's name.
Tributes and Comments Submitted by Visitors to This Site
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3/27, Amy Ford writes: The photos are great - it's nice to see Nina so full of life and love. She was a great friend to me and I will always remember her smile and spunk.
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3/27, Scott Purdy writes: My thoughts are with the whole family! It's so hard to lose a loved one! I will always remember Nina as being So Full of Life. If only we could remember to live our life like she did. She was so kind and helpfull to my mother, Phyl Purdy. My mother just loved her. Nina's whole family was so special to me-I have so many fond childhood memories of spending time with the Johnstons!
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3/27, Todd C. Miller writes: Pat and family: What a great way to pay tribute to a woman who lived life under her own terms, and, it is apparent, who loved to travel with her family. It had been a long time since I'd seen Nina. Even on the Feb. 2007 cruise she looked happy and relatively healthy. I wish the family comfort in the love of the rest of the family members. May you have good memories. Todd C. Miller
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3/27, Karen Noonan writes: Nina was very active at the YWCA in Sioux Falls, serving as the Board president in 1978-79. Her work with the Santa House will always be remembered. I still hear comments on how wonderful that event was. Our sincere sympathy to you and your family. When in Sioux Falls stop in at the YWCA and see the plaque where Nina's name is listed with all the Presidents of the YWCA Board. Karen Noonan, YWCA Membership Director
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3/27, Mike Wienandt writes: Jon and all the rest......my sincerest condolences.....anything you need from me ....please let me know, you and your entire family are in my heart and prayers.
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3/27, Cynthia Srstka (Pat Lacey's sister): Nina will be missed by many. What an incredible lady, what a privilege it was to have known her, and what a blessing that she was part of our family. She was truly a blessing to all of us. She knew how to do everything. She was extremely intelligent, artistic, and unbelievably creative. She had a big heart and would always be ready to help anyone, and she always knew exactly how to help. Nina was probably the most generous person I have ever known. She helped us in many ways - when I was younger, she was like a big sister to me. When I had children, she was ready with advice, encouragement, and help. She was also probably one of the greatest mothers that ever lived, perhaps the greatest. I can't even begin to imagine what a wonderful grandmother she was. We loved her dearly and will never forget Nina. What hurts me is that I never told her how much we appreciated everything she was and everything she did. Even though we have been separated by distance for years, it is hard to imagine life without Nina - I really do not want to. I hate to think of how devastated her family must be to lose her and my heart goes out to everyone. Nina was a great lady and her loss is unbearable.
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3/28, Ruth (Piorier) Davis writes: Nina was my best friend in high school. We met through the youth group at First Baptist Church in Sioux Falls, attended Washington High School together and remained friends throughout the years. I have the same high school graduation photo of her that is displayed in her memorial photos. We had so much fun together and my family loved her. She spent a considerable amount of time at our home. She and I loved playing jokes on my father, and we laughed about them the last time we had lunch together. She was always smiling. I will remember her beautiful smile. Ruth (Piorier) Davis Burnsville MN.
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3/28, Dawn Keyser writes: What a marvelous tribute to Nina with all the pictures! Nina was my good friend in high school and we have kept in touch - even though we didn't see each other very often over the years. I am so saddened at her death. She was such a vibrant, effervescent personality. I will remember her smile and great outlook on life. She will be missed.
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3/28, Deb Leslie writes: Pat and family, My sincerest sympathy to you. I was shocked and saddened to hear about Nina's death. I had often wondered about Nina and Pat and wondered how they were. I just imagined that they were loving and living life to the fullest. I am so sorry that I hadn't talked to her recently. She was very dear to me, and I'll never forget all that she has done for me. She was a very generous and caring person. I will miss her. Deb Leslie Sioux Falls, SD
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3/28, Scott and Patti Slaga write: Jon, our sincere sympathy to you and your family. May God's peace replace your heartache with warm and loving memories. We'll keep you all in our prayers.
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10/17, Doris and Warner Harrah write: We are neighbors to Kathy and Tim and we first met Nina and Pat after Rio was born. I never saw a Grandmother so comfortable and loving with her grand daughter. She was that way with Roark too. It was just beautiful to watch.
We remember visiting with Nina and Pat at Liberty Station and seeing Rio dressed in her "princess dress" (that Nina bought for her). As Rio danced around on the grass and Nina commented: "I just love that girl"….
Our hearts go out to Pat, Tim, Kathy, John, Vickie and all the rest of their wonderful family. Nina was (as so many people said) a person who lived so much on the moment and was so full of Life. We felt privileged to know her and are very sad that she died. She was the BEST Grandmother that any child could have.
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To add your own comment or send a note to the family, follow the appropriate link below. Once comments are submitted via e-mail, I should be able to add them here within 24-48 hours.
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To submit a comment to be posted on this site or to send a note to the immediate family, please CLICK HERE.
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Pictures
We have assembled a few collections of pictures of Nina. To see them, follow the PHOTOS link to the left and click on the Photo collections for Nina Lacey. Or simply use the four links provided below.
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To see pictures of Nina Johnston (birth through marriage), CLICK HERE
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To see pictures of Nina Lacey's Family (1963-2007), CLICK HERE
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To see pictures of Nina Lacey's Grandchildren (1995-2007), CLICK HERE
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To see pictures of Nina Lacey's Travels (1966-2007), CLICK HERE
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Notes
This site is maintained by the children of Nina Lacey.