November 24, 1945 – February 8, 2025
After struggling with serious health issues for some years, Nancy Elaine Bang passed away peacefully on February 8, 2025 in Whatcom Hospice Care in Bellingham, Washington. She is survived by her sister, Barbara Corker of North Highlands, California, and her brother, Mark Bang, of Cabri, Saskatchewan, Canada.
Nancy was born November 24, 1945, in Polk County in the city of Crookstan, Minnesota. She was one of five children and the second daughter of Melburn Bang and Georgina Yates Bang. At an early age, Nancy showed a feisty and independent spirit, always eager to explore and look for opportunities to satisfy her very inquisitive mind. The family moved to North Highlands, California in the early 50s where Nancy attended elementary and middle school, graduating from North Highlands High School, class of 1963. Being a very organized and detail-oriented person, Nancy set her sights on a career as a legal secretary and took all the advanced courses necessary to achieve her goal. She was a skilled stenographer and an expert in taking shorthand, a lost art these days. She moved to San Francisco, rented a lovely apartment on Larkin Ave., and subsequently found the perfect place of employment in San Francisco City Hall, and was soon working for the Chief of the Government Division and other city attorneys. She worked there for her entire professional career of 40 years. In one of her last reviews, her boss, the chief attorney at the time, wrote a glowing summation of how skilled, appreciated, and admired Nancy was. In his final statement, he wrote that “Nancy Bang has that very special old work ethic. She is extremely organized, conscientious, dependable and self-motivating. She takes a great deal of pride in her work. She almost daily exhibits the patience of a saint…”
Nancy enjoyed traveling and recalled fondly her trips and excursions to places that piqued her interest, culturally and historically. Early on in her life, she developed a great interest in the history and culture of France, even taking French lessons to prepare for her dream trip to Paris. Nancy was someone who had a taste for, and extensive knowledge of, fine things, be they jewelry, art, photography, unique pieces of furniture, dinnerware, and the absolute necessities in a gourmet kitchen! She was a voracious reader and delighted in the Harry Potter series and a well-written mystery. She enjoyed several genres of music (the Beatles ranked high on her preferred list!) and was always ready to engage in a lively discussion on current events. She was also quite artistic and found great joy in creating very intricate and unique artistic doodles. Nancy was a life-long learner, and her library was a testament to this.
As she planned very carefully for her retirement, Nancy’s greatest wish was to find a little cottage with a garden on an island where she could spend the next chapter of her life. After extensive research, in 2003 she discovered Orcas Island, Washington and found out that a group of ten craftsmen-style cottages were being built close to town and not far from the water. She made her decision and was one of the ten original owners of a cottage in the Crossroads Cottage community on Henry Rd, Eastsound, Washington. What a joy it was for her to sit on her cottage porch, read a good book, admire her garden (especially the beautiful hydrangeas), and say hello to passersby. She so enjoyed her island life of blissful retirement.
Finally, when engaged in a friendly chat, Nancy would often mention her three great loves: The Puget Sound and Orcas Island, her “beloved” cottage, and the joy of watching national and international tennis tournaments that featured the greatest professional men and women players on the courts. Further, she made it clear that her absolute favorite was Rafael Nadal!
Nancy was a kind thoughtful, and generous person. As her health began to fail, necessitating help with daily living, she always expressed her gratitude for any favor or assistance that was provided her. She took nothing and no one for granted and was quick to offer, and insist on, a gracious recompense.
Nancy’s wish was to have her ashes flown and spread over the waters of “her” beautiful Orcas Island. Godspeed, dear Nancy, and may you fly freely over this bit of heaven that you so loved.
