NIDA ASHMAN THOMPSON Age 100, native of Temecula, CA, passed away peacefully at her home on October 30, 2011 of natural causes. Born in 1911, she was daughter of well-known Pechanga tribal leader, Tony Ashman. She attended the one-room Temecula School, Elsinore Union High, received a Bachelor's degree from UCLA, and a Master's degree in Education from USC. She taught at the Temecula Union School in 1946 and became principal. Many of today's Pechanga tribal elders and long-time locals called her their teacher. In 1952, she began teaching at Perris Elementary School and also became principal, a job she enjoyed for the next 20 years. Upon retirement, Nida took up oil painting, and has painted many scenes and events from her memory of Temecula and Pechanga's early days. Over the years, she has assisted various authors, historians and the Temecula Valley Museum with her keen memory of the past. Most recently, she had been working on a book of her memoirs. A proud Pechanga tribal member, Nida was a wise, generous, and regal lady and will be sorely missed by all who knew her. She was preceded in death by her parents, Tony and Mary, older sister Katherine Leivas, and brother, Philip. Nida, having no children of her own, considered all of her many students as her children. She is survived by her close relatives, and many treasured friends. There will be a graveside service at 11 a.m. Wednesday, November 16, 2011 at the Temecula Public Cemetery, 41911 "C" Street. Reception to follow, Eagle's Nest Ballroom, Pechanga Resort & Casino.
Published in Press-Enterprise on November 13, 2011
Published in Press-Enterprise on November 13, 2011
NIDA ASHMAN THOMPSON Age 100, native of Temecula, CA, passed away peacefully at her home on October 30, 2011 of natural causes. Born in 1911, she was daughter of well-known Pechanga tribal leader, Tony Ashman. She attended the one-room Temecula School, Elsinore Union High, received a Bachelor's degree from UCLA, and a Master's degree in Education from USC. She taught at the Temecula Union School in 1946 and became principal. Many of today's Pechanga tribal elders and long-time locals called her their teacher. In 1952, she began teaching at Perris Elementary School and also became principal, a job she enjoyed for the next 20 years. Upon retirement, Nida took up oil painting, and has painted many scenes and events from her memory of Temecula and Pechanga's early days. Over the years, she has assisted various authors, historians and the Temecula Valley Museum with her keen memory of the past. Most recently, she had been working on a book of her memoirs. A proud Pechanga tribal member, Nida was a wise, generous, and regal lady and will be sorely missed by all who knew her. She was preceded in death by her parents, Tony and Mary, older sister Katherine Leivas, and brother, Philip. Nida, having no children of her own, considered all of her many students as her children. She is survived by her close relatives, and many treasured friends. There will be a graveside service at 11 a.m. Wednesday, November 16, 2011 at the Temecula Public Cemetery, 41911 "C" Street. Reception to follow, Eagle's Nest Ballroom, Pechanga Resort & Casino.
Published in Press-Enterprise on November 13, 2011
Published in Press-Enterprise on November 13, 2011
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