MEET NINA WEBBER - MONTESSORI PEDAGOGUE WHO BECAME PRESIDENT OF THE SWEDISH SOCIETY OF SAN FRANCISCO Now back in Sweden after 50 years in the Bay Area

During the last few years several of our prominent members in the Swedish Community have moved back to Sweden after living in the Bay Area for decades, One of those that we miss is Nina Webber, who was always a fixture in SWEA, our church and played a pivotal role in the renovation of the Swedish American Hall (on Market Street) and as President of the Swedish Society of San Francisco, the owner of the Hall.

This spring our Swedish organizations are organizing a Forum to discuss logistic challenges and the experiences of ex-pats returning to Sweden.

Nina was also very involved in the cultural scene of SF where one could meet her at the SF Opera House, the Zellerbach or Davies Symphony Hall. She is also a close friend of Lisa Wiborg and still keeps in close contact with her from Sweden.

I sent some questions to Nina who graciously shared some glimpses from her interesting life experience:

Where were you born? Tell us about your family and early education and work:

"How many children do you have"? The question was directed to my father during a meeting at his office: "When I left my home this morning I had three children, but right now... I don't know." That's when I was born, in Stockholm on a wintry morning.
We were a close family of six. My mother, a physical therapist and PE teacher kept us moving. Gymnastics and sports were an integral part of our lives. My father, an accountant, and a virtuoso at the piano, played by ear, loved to entertain, and composed my wedding march.

After happy and uneventful early school years I continued my studies at the Institute for Montessori Teachers in Denmark. My life as a Montessori pedagogue began at a little preschool in Danderyd where Bridget Brink's son Toby was one of my first students.
Friends of my older sister - she lived in Paris and Barcelona - moved temporarily from their home in Colombia, South America to Seville in Spain and I was hired as their children's governess. A memorable year! Europe offered me several languages, a true gift.

I then worked as a teacher of pedagogy and practical studies at my "alma mater" Institute for Montessori Teachers, and soon met my American husband, Paul.

What brought you to the US? When did you move to SF?

This led to the unexpected move to San Francisco, to Paul and his two young children. To live in Scandinavia was out of the question. The year was 1972. Besides teaching at Montessori Schools, I studied to become a Graphic Designer. One of my sons spent time in a hospital as a very young child and I was taken aback by the lack of a pedagogical environment and decided to do something about it. Together with Marielle Rutherford, architect, I started a company called Room to Improve and designed spaces for children, e.g., pediatricians’ offices, pediatric wards, and daycare centers, where most children spent more time than at home.

When did you first meet Lisa Wiborg and Barbro Osher and what has their friendship meant to you?

I already had some friends from Sweden living in the Bay Area and it wasn’t long before I had a nice group of friends. Lisa, who knew everybody with a Swedish connection, was one of them. Later she and I became very close and enjoyed each other’s company almost daily. Barbro’s friendship, besides all the fun together, led to my time as President of the Board of Directors at the Swedish Society of San Francisco, something I have never regretted.

What Swedish organizations have you been involved in and in what roles?

I was a member of SWEA SF from the get-go. I served on the board a couple of times, designed occasional posters and programs. I was also involved in art shows and the yearly Christmas Fair. I am now a member of SWEA Stockholm.

Ernst Jensen, who at the time was the president of the Swedish Society of San Francisco (SSSF), asked me to help with the remodel of the Swedish American Hall. As the remodel progressed, I became more and more involved with SSSF, which owns the Hall, and as I already mentioned I ended up on the Board of Directors. I can’t say enough now much I enjoyed working with the competent board members at the Swedish American Hall, a Historic Landmark.

When did you decide to move back to Sweden and what have been the main logistical challenges?

When I retired from my job as administrator and director of a Montessori school I began thinking of my sons and grandchildren, who had moved to live in Sweden.
A few years later it became obvious that I should move closer to them. They live in Stockholm, my hometown, which made the decision a lot easier.
A friend warned me that it would take a year to pack up my home of 48 years and it did, plus some! As an American citizen I’m stuck with the IRS for life. It would have simplified things had I not become a US citizen, but little did I know then.

What are your favorite interests and how does Stockholm compare with San Francisco? How often do you visit here?

Stockholm is a beautiful city, as is San Francisco. I am fortunate to have lived and live in both. It would be unfair to compare the two, but there’s no doubt that I miss the colorful, outgoing people of mixed backgrounds, colors and cultures in SF. But the more formal and reserved way of Swedes in general is changing, now that so many travel to other countries and with the many contributing immigrants.
I live in the capital, and I’m surrounded by performing arts, easy to find and easy to get to. I can walk everywhere and there are no hills!
But my heart is still in SF. I visit once a year and each time has been too short. So many friends to catch up with.

What role can our church play for those Swedes who come here to work a few years and bring their families and for those who belong to immigrant families?

The Swedish Church of San Francisco offers excellent programs for the community at large. Dinners for students, play and song groups for children, book club, bible study group, church service with lunch on weekdays, lectures, and of course the monthly church services in San Francisco and Los Altos.
But it also does so much more. Several friends of mine have been given invaluable help and support when their lives have taken a difficult turn.
Everything that the church does is of great importance for anyone, who is living far away from their Swedish roots, be it for a short stay or for life.