Emma Alberta Reed Nestler

Emma Alberta Reed Nestler

August 16, 1926 – March 15, 2025

Emma passed away peacefully on March 15 in her home of over 66 years in Watsonville, California.

Emma was born in Sparta, New Jersey to Edwin Reed and Marguerite Van Sciver Reed. She grew up in Northern New Jersey and graduated from Rockaway High School. Emma was then accepted into the U. S. Cadet Nurse Corps program and graduated as a registered nurse. It was during a rotation at Passaic General Hospital in New Jersey that she fell in love with a young intern, Henrique (Rick) Nestler. Once Rick had completed his internship and Emma finished her nursing program, the couple married and moved to Barranquilla, Colombia to start their new life together. While in Colombia, Emma gave birth to the couple’s first daughter, Connie.

After moving the family back to the U.S., Rick completed his residency in Chicago while Emma stayed with her parents in Rockaway. It was there that she gave birth to their first son, William (Bill). Rick enlisted in the U.S. Army and was stationed in Germany. After he had settled into his posting, Emma and her two small children made an 18+ hour transatlantic crossing in a DC-6 to join him. The family settled into military life living at an off-base apartment complex for military families. During their two years in Europe, they were able to travel the continent and visited many historic European destinations, such as Paris.

After Rick’s honorable discharge, they moved to Illinois where he worked as a company doctor while Emma set up a home for the family. While they were in Germany they had met a doctor from California who had convinced the couple that “California is the place to be.” To that end Rick passed the California Medical License exam in preparation for another move. Before leaving Illinois they welcomed their second son, Paul, into the family. A long cross-country drive to California brought Emma, Rick and their three children first to Vallejo, then to Hanford, and finally to the place they would make their permanent home, Watsonville. Emma gave birth to their second daughter, Stella, after this final move.

Emma, with her attention to detail, work ethic, can-do spirit, and - most importantly - her always-present love of family and friends, set about making Watsonville the home that the entire family would cherish for a lifetime. Not only a busy mother with four small children and a household to care for, she also was Rick’s right-hand person at his medical office, where she served as both nurse and office manager. She also kept busy volunteering her time to their new church, the Presbyterian Church of Watsonville, as well as to Watsonville Community Hospital’s various support organizations.

To Emma everyone was family, and was treated as such; her door was always open and a seat at her table was always available. She was a depression-era mother who never took anything her family had for granted, and what they had she would gladly share with everyone.

She loved cooking, baking and canning, excelling at all of these endeavors. Every year when the strawberry crop came in, the house would fill with the aroma of her strawberry preserves.

She and Rick traveled the world, visiting countries across North and South America, Europe, and the Far East. First with the family, and later in life on their own, they took motorhome trips to Canada, Mexico, and across the entire continental US several times to visit friends and relatives scattered across the country.

One of Emma’s favorite pastimes was participating in activities at the Watsonville YMCA. She enjoyed balance classes and water aerobics, and could often be spotted in the pool sporting rub-on tattoos. She also loved church bingo and especially looked forward to her trips to Chukchansi Gold Resort and Casino with her longtime friends.

She was dedicated to the Watsonville Presbyterian church and served on various church committees throughout her life.

Emma was preceded in death by Rick, her devoted husband of 69 years, and her sister, Lois. She leaves behind a lifetime of love and cherished memories for those who survive her: her brother Robert (Katie); her children Connie (Elisa), William, Paul (Mary), and Stella (Steve); her nephew Larry; 10 grandchildren; 9 great-grandchildren; and many other beloved nieces, nephews, and friends.

A celebration of Emma’s beautiful life will be held on April 5th at 11:00 AM at Westview Presbyterian Church in Watsonville (118 First Street), followed by a reception. The service will also be available on Zoom for those who cannot attend in person.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Westview Presbyterian Church in Emma’s honor.