Nancy Lee Bronstein passed away peacefully on June 13, 2026, with her children and husband by her side, after facing a brain tumor with grace and strength.
Nancy was born on April 23,1959 in Los Angeles to Emy Brown and Leonard Bronstein. She was initially raised in La Crescenta before moving to Manhattan Beach in 1964, where she graduated from Aviation High School in 1977. Their Manhattan Beach home still remains with her family and has been a cherished place to visit throughout the years.
Nancy moved to central California to attend California State University, Stanislaus, graduating with a B.A. in Business Administration in 1981. It was there that she met her husband Clive Riddle. They began their relationship during her senior year and married in 1984. Together, they bought a home in Modesto and raised their three children, Marshall (born 1986), Sarah (born 1988) and Sasha (born 1991).
Nancy’s proudest accomplishment was nurturing and raising her children to have happy, close relationships with each other and with their parents, graduate from college, enter into wonderful marriages, launch satisfying careers, and ultimately introduce three joyous grandchildren to the world–all born within April and May of 2024.
Nancy maintained close relationships with her mother, brothers, and extended family, participating in numerous family gatherings and trips throughout each year, including an annual gathering in San Diego every July.
Nancy also enjoyed a robust career, with a focus on Human Resources management. She started her HR career straight out of college working for two cannery organizations, an electronics manufacturer, and a hospital company, all while obtaining her Master’s Degree in Business Administration and raising small children.
After pausing a few years to focus on her children, Nancy embarked on a long career in the public sector. She served the County of Stanislaus from 1997 to 2016, in the Health Services Agency and CEO’s office, ultimately becoming Deputy Executive Officer of Budget and Operations, followed by Deputy Executive Officer of Human Resources. Nancy then went on to become Director of Human Resources for the City of Alameda in 2016 and served as Interim City Manager during her last year before retiring in 2022. Nancy was active in professional Human Resources associations and received numerous awards and recognitions during her career.
Nancy had a diverse and active palette of interests throughout her life. She was an avid reader, often curling up with her latest book or selected articles in bed at night or on a weekend afternoon. She loved frequent hiking and outdoor activities, and enjoyed a wide spectrum of cultural activities. She loved to travel extensively with family, both domestically and abroad, and experience different cultures, cuisines and history. Nancy was an excellent cook, with a special talent for baking wonderful cookies and cakes. She had a particular fondness for chocolate cake, and you are encouraged to think of her the next time you come across a slice.
Nancy had many treasured friendships, and was forever proactive in staying in touch with her friends and family, all who will miss her beyond what words can convey. She was preceded in death by her father Leonard (d. 2018), step-father Howard Brown (d. 2014) and mother Emy (d. 2025), and is survived by her husband Clive, children Marshall (Katie), Sarah (Trevor), and Sasha (Evan); her grandchildren (Saul, Damien and Louise); and brothers Craig (Emily), Keith (Jennie), and David (Karen), along with nieces and nephews, Isabella, Micah and Turner. Nancy is interred at Fernwood Cemetery in Mill Valley, CA.
Contributions in memory of Nancy can be made to the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation or to the ALS Association.
