Celia May (Park) Nix • 1929-2022

Celia was born to James Ernest Park and Inga Cecilia (Bergstrom) in Rosthern, Saskatchewan, Canada. She grew up in Regina, Saskatchewan, with her younger brothers, Jimmy and David, and adopted older sister, Harriet. Ernie was the Chief Horticulturalist/Landscape Architect for the Province of Saskatchewan. The family lived on the Parliament Building grounds, surrounded by woods and flowers planted by her father. Her love of gardening came naturally, and she tended plants and flowers throughout her life.

Celia was drawn to the written word at an early age, developing a lifelong passion for reading and writing. She wrote a book of poetry in her early teens and was made editor of her high school paper. She majored in English at the University of Saskatchewan, became a reporter for the Regina Leader Post, and earned her masters of arts in creative writing at San Diego State in 1984.

Celia met Jack Nix through a friend while Jack was playing pro football for the Saskatchewan Roughriders. Just before Jack arrived at her home for their first date, Celia noticed an effigy her mother had made, complete with the number 58 on its jersey and crossed eyes! She pulled it down, but couldn’t control her brothers, who were excited to meet the football legend.

Although they only knew each other three months, they were married January 16, 1952. The newlyweds headed to Quantico, Virginia, where Jack was a U.S. Marine Corps officer. The following November, he suffered a football-career-ending knee injury. She rushed to be with him and spent the night sobbing at his bedside, wearing the corsage he had given her for the U.S.M.C. Ball.

In July of 1953, they moved to Fallbrook. Celia was thrilled to be in beautiful California, but soon the Marine Corps shipped her husband to Korea. On the ship, Jack’s orders were changed to Tokyo, the Lord’s intervention in many ways.

They owned three homes, where they raised their family: first, La Mirada; next, Brea; and then, Santa Ana. Celia was busy with three children; two cats; a dog; and her lovely home and garden. In 1985, she became a dual citizen of the United States and Canada. Following that were her children’s weddings; grandchildren’s births; babysitting far and wide in Southern California; 49er alumni reunions; USC football games; travel, gardening and dancing!

In 2002, Jack and Celia built a new home in Fallbrook, nearly 50 years after they first lived there in the Marine Corps. Celia celebrated her 90th birthday there a few years ago and their 70th wedding anniversary this January.

She is survived by her husband of 70 years, Jack Nix (Fallbrook, California); daughter, Cindy (Rob) Bell (Sisters); son, Mike (Jackie) Nix (Santa Clarita, California); son, Dave (Tracy) Nix (Huntington Beach, California); seven grandchildren: Ryan, Todd, Chad, Courtney, Grant, Garrett, and Brody; and her three great grandchildren, Karter, Jovie, and Jack. Her brother, David, is living in North Vancouver, BC.

A Celebration of Life was held June 25, 2022, at Riverview Church in Bonsall, California.