Nancy Cleveland, who grew up in the Palisades, passed away shortly after the fire. She was a member of Rotary, the American Legion and volunteered during drought periods, by watering trees in the Will Rogers State Historic Park.
She also was a dog lover and had trained dogs to do search and rescue.
A friend wrote, “On the night of Tuesday January7, Nancy called me in a panic saying that that she didn’t know where to go amid the fires.
“She had grown up in the Palisades and was 80 years old. She didn’t think the fires would be that bad, so she did not evacuate in a timely manner.
“She managed to get her three dogs in her vehicle but didn’t leave the Palisades until 10 p.m. Tuesday thinking she could camp in her car for the night and be fine. She was soon evacuated by police officers who told her she needed to leave the area.
“She didn’t know where to go and called me. I called 20 different hotels, which all said they don’t allow any dogs over 40 lbs. and even though she was evacuated from the fires they wouldn’t allow her. I finally helped her get an Air B&B in Marina Del Rey that graciously allowed her and her three dogs.
“She got there safely and assured me she was okay and that was the last phone conversation I had with her.
“I didn’t hear from her the next day when I tried to check in and was very worried so I asked the Air B&B host to check on her. They found her unconscious on the floor. She was rushed to UCLA hospital and her dogs were picked up by Westside German Shepherd Rescue to be taken to safety.
Nancy suffered a brain bleed, and fractured hip. We think she suffered a stress-induced stroke or fell and collapsed from exhaustion. The amazing doctors and nurses at UCLA did everything they could to save her but after almost three weeks in a coma she succumbed to her injuries on the morning of January 28. Her dogs still are in need of forever homes.
Her dogs laid loyally by her side until help came the following morning. They are safe but confused and miss their mom. I am hoping to help them find the best forever homes.
One dog has been adopted by a foster mom who has fallen in love with her. The two boys still need a forever home. They are being sponsored by Westside German Shepherd Rescue and are currently with a great couple in a foster home.
(contact: santoroashley12@gmail.com if you can adopt and care for Nancy’s dogs.)
Rest In Peace Nancy, you did not deserve this