UPPER LAKE, Calif. – Nancy Smith Zabel crossed over from this life on Wednesday, Nov. 29, 2017, surrounded by her family in the comfort of the home she loved.

Nancy is survived by her husband of 50 years, Harry; sons, Jeremy (Nicole) and Brian (Carrie); grandchildren, Hayden Zabel, Ashtyn Zabel, Tanner Cartinella, Madison Wechtel, Jackson Wechtel, Keirra Zarate and Makayla Zarate. She is also survived by her sister, Denise Brammer (Kippy); brother, Gary Smith (Barbara); nephew, Clifford Brammer (Alicia); and niece, Sarah Smith.

Nancy was preceded in death by her niece, Beth Brammer, and her parents, Raymond and Frances Smith.

Many of those she touched also considered her to be their mother, aunt or grandmother as she treated them all as her very own.

Nancy Gay Smith was born on Jan. 6, 1953, in Waterbury, Connecticut to Raymond and Frances Smith. She was the middle child, a fiery little redheaded gem who would eventually be nicknamed the Red Jet, always moving and always the life of any party.

Nancy is locally known as the co-owner of Park Place Restaurant in Lakeport which she and her dear friend Barbara Morris opened in 1986.

Park Place’s success was built largely on the true love and compatibility Nancy and Barbara shared and they used this success as a foundation to help others throughout the communities in Lake County in their times of need. They each dedicated countless hours to the betterment of others, often making sure the hungry were fed and cold were clothed.

Nancy was a lover of the outdoors. As a child in Thomaston, Connecticut, she loved to hike to Black Rock in the State Park across the road from her house. As an adult hikes, walks, kayaking on Rodman Slough, bird watching and sharing those experiences with Harry and all of the children in her life was a source of great pleasure for her.

Nancy and Harry were married in Moose Junction, Wyoming, in Grand Teton National Park. The little log Chapel of the Transfiguration was the perfect setting nestled at the base of the Tetons. It would prove to be the foundation of a long and rewarding marriage that would carry her and Harry through many decades of happiness and success.

She and Harry spent eight years at Grand Canyon National Park, living in the bottom of that natural wonder as well as the South Rim and North Rim where they spent a winter snowed in as the caretakers.

She spent the last 37 years on earth here in Lake County living within the boundaries of the Mendocino National Forest where Harry worked for nearly 30 years. She loved the accessibility to the North Coast, the Redwoods and San Francisco.

Nancy loved Italy, books, the San Francisco Giants, wines, cooking, Andrea Bocelli, Naples-style pizza, children, animals, the sea, the southwest, New England, pyramid power, family and life. She loved life.

There will be no services; however, the family will have a celebration of her life in the early spring when the weather is nice at the Red Jet’s request.

You have and will ever fly higher than all the others! Thanks for loving us.

In lieu of flowers, we ask that you make a charitable donation to Hospice of Lake County.

Arrangements by Chapel of the Lakes Mortuary, 707-263-0357 or 707-994-5611, or visit www.chapelofthelakes.com.