Nancy (Tamblyn) Prestwick

July 29, 1934 - August 2, 2025

Nancy Prestwick, 91, longtime resident of Sedona, passed away peacefully in the early morning hours surrounded by her loving family. Born in Detroit, Michigan to Frederick Wendell Tamblyn, “Tam” and Sybil Patterson Tamblyn, “Pat”. She loved spending carefree days at their cottage, the “Red Chimney” on  Eight Point Lake, nestled among  birch trees and balsam firs.

After the attack on Pearl Harbor, Tam enlisted as a Naval Doctor to support the war effort and was deployed to California. Idyllic days on Coronado Island, beach combing, visiting the San Diego Zoo and enjoying fresh avocados and oranges was a stunning contrast to the reality of war in the South Pacific Theater.

 Nancy, a mere child, tried to comprehend the incomprehensible asking Tam, “Daddy, What is war?”. This stark revelation planted the seeds for social and political activism in her later life.Graduating from Michigan State University in Education and Interior Design her awareness of inequality heightened as she became a passionate advocate for women’s rights and human rights, working tirelessly to promote change and equality. A true feminist and published journalist for “Ms Magazine”.

Migrating to Phoenix in 1976, she ventured into Real Estate, later marrying her love, Rowland Prestwick, in 1985 at the Arizona Biltmore. The lure of living in Sedona captivated them, so in 1985 the exodus from Phoenix began. They fell in love with a Howard Madole home, a revered local architect influenced by Frank Lloyd Wright. They were both enamored with the stunning beauty that surrounded them.

Their social lives revolved around tennis as members of Poco Diablo Country Club, participating in tennis tournaments, mixed doubles, singles and round robins, enjoying the camaraderie of friends who shared the same affection for the love of the game.

They successfully operated Norwest Mortgage, earning top producers for the western region and had the distinct honor of attending a celebration gala in Boca Raton, Florida. Taking ethereal adventures to paradise, Maui, Kauai, savoring the perfumed air, gentle trade winds and serene ocean scape, she now resides in eternal paradise. 

She will be remembered for her loving radiant presence in all of our lives, touching everyone around her with her generous, expansive spirit and leaving a legacy of social activism, compassion and love. We can hear her favorite melodies, calming atmosphere and evocative imagery of Moonlight Sonata and Clair de Lune as she makes her way into the great beyond, melting into the sun and becoming one with the universe.

 Preceded in death, Rowland Prestwick (husband) 2017, Marnye Herrick (daughter) 2021, surviving daughters, Cheryl Herrick, Tama Herrick, grandson, Jasper Herrick all of Sedona. Daughters Suzanne Zets (Glenn) of California, Julie Trainor (Larry) of Prescott, Jacqui Schlosser (Roy) of Tucson and many loving grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces and nephews.           

                                                                        Donations in her honor to Hopehouseofsedona.org

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