Nancy Lee Mangeng, 67, passed away peacefully at her home in Oak Harbor on Sunday, April 28, 2013 surrounded by her family after a courageous 18 month battle with lung cancer.
Nancy was born on April 30, 1945 in Mount Vernon, WA. She spent her childhood in Sedro-Woolley, WA where she met and married Bernie Mangeng who was stationed at NAS Whidbey Island while serving with the U.S. Navy. Bernie and Nancy spent a 26 year career in the Navy together, spending time at various duty stations around the country, but always came back to the Pacific Northwest calling Oak Harbor home for over 45 years.
Nancy loved working at Sears for 10 years and meeting many wonderful people. She devoted many happy years volunteering with the Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, Little League Softball and local schools. She was always the go-to lady of Orchard Loop when it came to which yard the neighborhood kids would gather and play. She helped raise many of the children that surrounded her neighborhood. She also loved playing Bunko with the ladies or going to the local casinos and playing the slots. Nancy loved her home but her most precious asset was always her family.
She is survived by her loving husband of 51 years, Bernie; her son, Craig Mangeng (Violet) of Port Orchard, WA and daughter, Bridget (Mangeng) Thayer (Randy) of Oak Harbor, WA; eleven grandchildren, Benjamin Mangeng, of Elko, NV, Nicholas Mangeng, of Port Orchard, WA, William Thayer (Katie), of Oak Harbor, WA, Britney Thayer and partner Brandon Veal, of Oak Harbor, WA, Isabel, Gabrayelle, Vanessa, Anabel, Austin and Maddy Jo Thayer, Kristina Forbes and Brandee Crusoe, all of Oak Harbor, WA; four great-grandchildren, Brooklyn Thayer, Prestin Forbes, Kierra Thayer, Jeremiah Crusoe all of Oak Harbor, WA, and a half-brother, Billie Campbell, of San Jose, CA. She was preceded in death by her parents, Hazel and Guy MacLellan; brother, Sammy Davis, and sister, Louise Jewett.
Nancy will always be remembered as a wonderful wife, mother, grandma, great- grandmother “Nawie”, sister, aunt and friend.
Though she may be gone from our eyes, she will never be gone from our hearts!
WE LOVE AND MISS YOU SO VERY MUCH NANA!
A Memorial Service to Celebrate Nancy’s Life will be held on Saturday, May 11, 2013 at 1:00PM at Life Church, 1767 NE Regatta Drive, Oak Harbor, WA. Memorials are suggested to the Cancer Care Alliance, 825 Eastlake Avenue E., Seattle, WA 98109. Cremation arrangements are under the direction of Lemley Chapel, Sedro-Woolley. Private family inurnment will be at Sedro-Woolley Union Cemetery.
Not only have i lost my great-grandmother but i have lost my best friend and i knew from the moment that i looked into her eyes when i was a baby i thought she would be here forever you will always be in my heart
love you always Kierra
It’s been 3 years since you left this earth. I still can’t find the words to say how much I truly miss you. You are my best friend and its hard to replace that. I will always feel blessed being your daughter and your memory will live on thru our stories and in our hearts. You were a very courage’ person and fought a very hard battle aod you won. Because of your love for God you are in the kingdom of heaven and at peace.
I love you mom Bridget.
I am so very sorry during this time of loss. I have very fond memories of Nancy going back more than 39 years ago. I pray for peace to all those that are here and I believe we will see her again some day. God Bless all of you!
To Nancy’s family,
As today is Nancy’s memorial service I will reflect on the years as she grew up. In the fifties I knew her parents when Hazel worked in my future in-laws restaurant (The Skagit Grotto) and Guy worked next door at the Old Timers Inn. Nancy was such a happy child with that great smile. So glad to read she had a great life with children all around her. I know she will be missed.
I remember meeting Nancy fifteen years ago and loving her from the first minute. She was always the caring neighbor next door(literally) and always checked on my brothers and I. I have many fond memories of Nancy and the family with many adventures to the glen. she will truly be missed by all and our neighborhood will never be the same.
My dear cousin Nancy, I will miss our goofy conversations. But now you have successfully completed your physical journey on the earthly plane. I will miss you but will feel your spirit soaring with joy. Check in once in awhile.
So very sorry Bernie and Bridget. Am praying for you all. Its just my opinion but time helps us, not to get over this but to just learn to live with the loss. Remember she would want all of you to have a full life and to be happy. It will take time. Bob sends his regards also.
we are sorry for your lose may god bless you all
It’s been many years since I’ve seen Nancy. We went to high school together. I am so sorry for your loss. I just remember her smiling and laughing all the time.
Bernie & family,
So sorry for your loss. We will definitely miss Nancy and her great sense of humor. She always had a smile for everyone and was great fun to be around. Friends are never apart.
Bernie & Family,
It was always great fun to be around Nancy. She was so full of energy and high spirits and always a cheerful smile. We had so much fun with Nancy and Bernie. Will miss her!
I met Nancy one night when she came to my moms (Linda Bishop) for Bunco. What a sweet heart she was!! I will remember her laugh, so infectious you couldn’t help but smile..or even laugh along with her. She loved Bunco and the ladies loved her as well. Bridget and family, I am so sorry for your loss. She went too soon, but she is in Gods arms now, as he guides her thru those pearly gates with loved ones there to meet her. She can breathe without help and pain. Its never easy to lose a loved one, but thankfully she is pain free now. And probably holding a table for the other Bunco ladies for when they get there.
Nancy, I didn’t get to spend much time with you and get to know you, but I know you were loved by many and will be eternally missed. Try not to cause much of a ruckus up there 🙂
We pray for God’s comfort and peace during this time of loss. I am one of the cousins in TN that never have met this group of the Knight family.
Nancy you are gone to soon but you are pain free. God Bless. I almost called 3 weeks ago !!! I’m so sorry.Thoughts and prayers for all.
I am a cousin from Tennessee, sorry to hear about your loss. I am sorry that I didn’t get a chance to meet Nancy, had hoped to meet her on a trip to WA in the near future. My thoughts and prayers will be with you and your family.
I went to school with Nancy and we lived near each other so we hung out together after school. She always had that great laugh and beautiful smile. After she moved away I lost touch with her, but kept up on what she was doing through Hazel and Guy. The last time I saw her was when her father passed away. She was still as beautiful as ever. I am so sorry for her family that she was taken too soon.
Joan
All though we never meet I wanted to say God bless all on your great loss !! You will be in my prayers God Bless !! Diane
I know you must be missing her terribly, she is at peace now and free of pain. I’m so glad I got to meet cousin Nancy and spend a little time visiting with her and some of the family. So sorry for your loss.
Nancy, you were an amazing friend. I will never forget your smile or your laugh. You were a dear friend and I will miss you greatly. I will see you on the other side, lets play some Bunco! I love you!
Was sorry to hear about Nancy. We never did meet her as when we were in Kent we never knew Bernie. May GOD bless all of the family at this time of sorrow.
Nancy was a special person and will be missed by everyone that knew her. I am sorry that my wife Sally never got to meet her. I have many fond memories of time spent at the Mangeng’s home while I was in the Navy at NAS Whidbey.
Our love and prayers go to the Mangeng family.
Rob and Sally Minter
I miss you mom. You were taken too soon. Meet me at the gate when its my time to go.
Your memory will live on forever Nancy. You will be missed by all. I will cherish the memories of our families growing up together. I am thankful to have known you. You are now an Angel looking down upon us all. My thoughts and prayers are with the family.
We will miss you Nancy Sending our love to all the family
Thou we did not meet you , we will miss talking with you on the phone.
We are so sorry I never got to meet Nancy, but we hit it off as good friends on our phone conversations. My heart breaks also, as i felt a real closeness to her. She always told me of the love and care she had from her family . May all your happy memories help you through this sad time. love Helen & bill Savage
What great memories we created and wonderful laughs we have had, I’m missing you.