Nancy Jo Howell

Nancy Jo Howell, known to her loved ones as Nancy Jo or Nancy, passed away peacefully on August 17, 2023, in Torrance, California, at the age of 77. She was born on November 28, 1945, in Greenville, South Carolina, to Evelyn Whitlock and Aldo Nespeca.


At the age of eight Nancy Jo, her mother and stepfather Albert Whaley, relocated from a cotton industry community in South Carolina to Los Angeles, California. All remained permanent residents of Southern California.

Nancy Jo graduated from the public school system of Los Angeles and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics from the University of California, Los Angeles. She had a distinguished 38 year career at Hughes Space Systems, which later became Boeing Satellite Systems where she attained senior leadership positions in the Business and Finance operations.

Nancy Jo’s effervescent, warm, friendly and welcoming nature was evident to all. She loved and cared deeply about her family, friends, and community. She valued gatherings, celebrations, dining experiences, live performances and other occasions that provided opportunities to be with those closest to her. A gifted conversationalist, she easily connected with those of all ages.Her magnetic personality, easy laughter, sparking smile and quick wit often displayed her humorous insights.

Her exceptional strength of character was shown as she dealt with adverse situations or when explaining her beliefs, philosophy and views. Nancy Jo led by example and she was often sought by family members or friends to help with mentoring through challenging, unexpected or uncertain circumstances. All appreciated her sincerity, caring, intellect and penetrating insight.

Nancy Jo nurtured her sense of curiosity and adventure by travel to foreign cultures and learning the languages sufficiently to communicate with locals. She applied her artistic creativity using photography and videography to record the excursions and create video and photo collections of the cherished memories. She was also a skier and hiker and had a special appreciation of nature. She was drawn to the Sierra Nevada mountains and the spectacular wonders of Yosemite National Park where she was engulfed by vastness, serenity, wilderness, the magnificence of nature’s powerful forces and the strong connection to the Universe.

Nancy Jo was highly spiritual and found solace in her faith of the further dimensions of existence. She attended several churches in the South Bay where she connected with her community and nurtured her spiritual growth.

Nancy Jo is survived by her loving husband of 55 years, Ron Howell, brother Glenn Nespeca, cousins Lisa Palomino, Bob Whitlock and Bill Whitlock and numerous nephews and nieces. She was preceded in death by her mother Evelyn Whaley, stepfather Albert Whaley, father Aldo Nespeca and brother John Nespeca.

A celebration of Nancy Jo's life will be planned for a later date, where family and friends will come together to honor her memory and share stories and experiences.


Nancy was compassionate for those less fortunate and devoted her charitable resources to the South Bay Cancer Support Group, the Disabled American Veterans, and the South Bay Chapter of the Salvation Army. She prioritized helping children in need, cancer victims, the homeless and military veterans. The family asks that any donations in Nancy Jo‘s honor be made to these or similar charities.

In this time of grief, let us remember Nancy Jo Howell as a vibrant, compassionate and loving spirit who touched the lives of those around her and meant so much to so many. Her spirit will forever live on in the hearts of her loved ones and friends. Her bright light will shine eternally .