Nan McNees

Meet Nan McNees, someone who works very close with our local Grand Rivers Humane Society. “I grew up in Fargo, North Dakota. I have 3 brothers and I’m the only girl so I guess I was a little bit spoiled, which is ok. I grew up in a little idyllic family and had a great childhood and my parents put me through college. I graduated from college in Fargo with a degree in Pharmacy. I had several job offers in garden locations like Detroit, Little Rock, D.C. and ultimately decided on Grand Junction. I had never heard of it and had never been here, but the VA hired me for my internship year and I like to ski so I moved here. After I got my license the VA asked me if I would stay, which I did for a few years, and then I moved on to different things. I have 3 kids – my 2 daughters live here and my son lives in Denver. My husband has a daughter and she lives in Denver. We have 7 grandkids.”

 

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Q: What inspired you or led you to your current career?

A: When I was the Director of Pharmacy at St Mary’s in the early 80’s Dr. Joseph Maruca came to Grand Junction as the very first endocrinologist and he and I met through our jobs and we’ve remained in somewhat contact throughout the decades. When I retired from my pharmacy career we got in touch again and I started helping him a fair amount with Grand Rivers Humane. Now I help out a huge amount. Grand Rivers Humane was formed in 2005 to solely reduce the euthanasia of healthy dogs & cats in Mesa County Animal Services. It took Dr. Maruca 5 years and then it stopped. We only rescue dogs & cats from the local area. We are a local solution to a local issue. 

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Q: What is your favorite restaurant in The Grand Valley, and what do you love there?

A: Olive Garden– soup & salad with iced tea.

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Q: Who is the most interesting person you’ve met here in The Grand Valley?  

A: One of the most interesting couples is Wilma & Dave Hansen. I have known them through church (Redlands United Methodist) for decades. He is a chiropractor in town and she works in his office. They have been foster parents for 25-30 years. A while ago I adopted a dog to a very interesting young man from North Dakota who is an attorney who represents children in the court process and I asked if he knew my friends Wilma & Dave Hansen. He agreed that they were incredible people because they have taken in so many children consistently. What they have done has changed so many lives and I think they’re incredible. 

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Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would it be?  And why? 

A: I’d go to Minneapolis and see my mother. 

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Q: What is your favorite movie OR what is the first movie you remember seeing in a theatre?

A: My favorite movie is Beauty & the Beast. 

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Q: What advice would you give a crowd of people?

A: SMILE! 

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Q: What is something on your bucket list?

A: To be happy, healthy, loving & kind. 

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Q: What is your favorite music / 3 bands you would like to see (dead or alive)?

A: Country. I would love to see Home Free and they are coming to Grand Junction!

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Q: What is your favorite thing or something unique about The Grand Valley?

A: The people, the weather and the geography. 

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Q: Where do you see yourself in 5 or 10 years?

A: Same stuff I’m doing now. I don’t plan on slowing down.

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Q: What is something interesting that most people don’t know about you?

A: I’m an M&M. I’m hard on the outside and soft on the inside.

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Q: What word or phrase comes to mind when you think of the word HOME? 

A: Sanctuary

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Q: Who would you like to see nominated for this project, The Faces of The Grand Valley?
A: Wilma Hansen

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Q: If you were cast into a major motion picture and had your choice of anyone to be your co-star, who would you choose?

A: A dog. Some kind of rescue mutt.

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Q: If you had a full-time staff member that was fully paid for, who would you choose & why?

Chef, Housekeeper, Driver, Coach, Physical Fitness Trainer or Nanny?

A: A physical fitness trainer.

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