Nancy Marie Portalupi passed away after a short illness on March 27, 2022. She was born on March 3, 1947 in Arcata.

Daughter of parents Dr. Henry Celeste Portalupi (1917-1999) and Mary Elizabeth Portalupi (1920-2003), husband Louis Anthony Mihalka (1948-2019), sister Patricia Ellen Portalupi (1943-2003). She is survived by her loving daughter Chloe Jane Mihalka, granddaughter, Scarlet Elizabeth Burgess, brother Richard Henry Portalupi, (Rona) sister Jane Elizabeth Portalupi (Tim Borges) and her many nieces and nephews. Nancy was a very dedicated daughter to both Mary and Henry and was proud of the life her parents created in Arcata in their respective careers as a local Arcata physician and a nurse.

Nancy was born and raised in Arcata and lived her entire life in Humboldt County. She had a great love for the Humboldt County culture, history of the area, the Redwoods, and the ocean. She attended grammar school at CES, High School at Arcata High and college at Humboldt State University. An advocate of education, she earned her BA and Multiple Subjects Teaching credential at HSU. She then entered the Psychology department and earned a Pupil Personnel Services Credential, which included an MA in Psychology. She applied her education at the Humboldt County office of Education and was a counselor in many of the rural schools in Humboldt County. She then became the Testing Director at Humboldt State University’s testing Center and retired after 30 years of service.

Nancy met her husband, Lou, in 1972, and enjoyed over 50 years of marriage. They were soul mates on so many levels and just enjoyed being together. They were great conversationalists, supporting the same political views and often discussed politics and their mutual compassion to make the world a better place for everyone. They purchased Nancy’s father’s medical office and apartment building in downtown Arcata where Lou practiced chiropractic medicine. Nancy recently renovated the downtown building and dedicated it to the Portalupi family.

They had a passion for traveling, especially taking road trips to Seattle or Redding, and travelling through Europe. They had a special connection to Hawaii, where they were married. Nancy and Lou were very dedicated parents and grandparents to their daughter Chloe and granddaughter Scarlet. Nancy and Chloe were inseparably close and touched in with each other many times a day. Nancy encouraged Chloe to be her best and supported her through the many ups and downs from childhood to becoming a very caring, educated, and responsible young mother and adult.

Nancy had an eye for art, especially modern art, and filled her home with paintings, many of which are local artists that she supported. She had an incredible sense of style. She and Lou built a home that is an expression of her talent for great design located above Mad River with a beautiful view of the ocean that she loved to sit and gaze at. She loved the color purple and tastefully incorporated it throughout her home and in every aspect of her life.

Nancy always wanted the best for everyone both in their personal and professional life. She gave everyone the encouragement to be their very best and instilled confidence that everything is achievable. She brought out their ability to embrace their individual strength, changing many lives for the better.

Nancy was the most loyal person ever. She was a dedicated sister, aunt, and daughter. She loved nothing more than spending time with family. She had a very close circle of friends, many that spanned over her entire life. She kept her family and friends close to her heart. She was a communicator and was alwaysthere for each and every one of us. Many of us now can’t imagine not being able to pick up the phone and talk to her. We are all so sad.

We would like to say a special thank you to Dr. Gary and Chris Garcia, Jack Jones, Diane Stockness, Manny and Denise Daskalfor being there every step of the way in Nancy’s final days.

A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, September 3, at her home. Please email jane.portalupi@gmail.com if you would like to attend. In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting that gifts be made in memory of Nancy to the Student Disability Resource Center Fund, at Cal Poly Humboldt using this link.

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