Within a few months after she came to work at UC Davis 16½ years ago, Ann Davies-Nesbitt became a vanpooler. Which was perfect, considering her job was alternative transportation coordinator.

The Auburn resident was among the founders of the I-80-Eight vanpool and she rode it continually throughout her career, often taking care of scheduling and billing. Today, her vanmates are commuting in sadness, due to Davies-Nesbitt's death Oct. 21 of cancer at the age of 52.

"It's definitely like a loss in the family," said Peter Brinckerhoff, a project manager for Student Information Systems, another co-founder of the I-80-Eight vanpool 16 years ago.

Cliff Contreras, director of Trans-portation and Parking Services, said he remembers interviewing Davies-Nesbitt for alternative transportation coordinator in 1991.

"There was just something about Ann; she brought a lot of energy and passion to what she wanted to do," Contreras said. "This was an important time for us, because this was a new program and she was the first coordinator."

As part of her marketing efforts, Davies-Nesbitt set up information tables and generally "brought people together" to form carpools and vanpools, Contreras said. He said she also established trainpooling.

Davies-Nesbitt touted the economic advantages of sharing commute costs, and she worked with government agencies that provide subsidies to encourage ride sharing.

Today, through her efforts, some 2,000 employees share rides to work on the main campus, up from 100 when she joined TAPS.

"She did a remarkable job for us," Contreras said.

Davies-Nesbitt is survived by her husband, Keith Nesbitt, a member of the Auburn City Council, and their son, Dylan. A memorial service took place Nov. 3.

Contributions in her memory may be made to her cancer support group at Sutter Auburn Faith Hospital. Checks should be made payable to the Sutter Auburn Faith Hospital Foundation and mailed to 11815 Education St., Auburn, CA 95602.