Nancy Hutton Obituary (2023)

Nancy always told us that "it's a great life if you don't weaken". She lived by that motto, but always showed love and compassion in her strength. Born on April 21, 1925, in Yakima, she passed away on December 21, 2023 at the age of 98. As a child of the Great Depression, she remembered the struggles of the vulnerable and weak in her daily life. She had a huge heart for the underdog and instilled in us a sense of responsibility and caring for others. Nancy was raised in a ranching family and business known as the Coffin Sheep Company. She enjoyed many days riding her horses at the Wenas ranch and helping with round up and care of the animals that she loved. She attended Roosevelt Elementary, Franklin Junior High and graduated from Yakima High School. She saved all of her papers and artwork from her education and beyond and insisted that we comb through it all before her death. To say that she never threw anything away might be an understatement. As a young woman, she attended Whitman College and the University of Washington. Interestingly, though she valued education highly, she never graduated from either institution. Perhaps that was because she met a dashing young Virginian, Arthur Preston Hutton, on a bus ride from Seattle to Yakima. They fell in love, married and made a life together for 34 years. Nancy was an artist. She created many paintings and drawings, forcing some of us to pose for hours at a time, or so it seemed. She took pains to design and build or remodel many of the family homes where we lived. She had an eye for fashion and style. Later in life she and her partner, Steve Vingo, founded Galaxy Stained Glass and created many beautiful works of stained glass, some of which still grace local homes. Nancy was a traveler and adventurer. She enjoyed trips to many countries, but the one that impressed her the most was joining the Peace Corps in 1971. Writing home, she said that at her age she had never imagined bargaining for live chickens in the souks of Casablanca. Nancy was a proud and loving parent, grandparent and great grandparent. She encouraged and supported her sons, James (Robin) and Jon (Pam). Scouting and 4H leader, driver, nurse, sports fan, banker and teacher, Mom did it all for us. As the family grew, she did many of the same things for her grandchildren, David, Riyon, Whitney, Paige, Trevor and Alex. Nancy loved hosting large family gatherings and was a fabulous chef. Her books of recipes have a place in family lore. She arranged many ping pong games in her basement for friendly competitions. She will be remembered as a person of principle and integrity by all of us. She always told us that the United States was the greatest country in the world where anyone could succeed if effort was made. She cherished her friendships, many going back eighty years or more. She wrote cards and letters of humor and encouragement to all of us over her lifetime. As mentioned, she believed in the power of education and returned to school in her late fifties to earn a nursing degree from Yakima Valley College. Nancy was predeceased by her parents, Stanley and Carol Coffin, her brother, Dr. Stan Coffin and her grandson, Alex Hutton. The family wishes to thank Good Samaritan Health Care Center for their care during Nancy's last years. Any memorials may be made to the Yakima Valley Community Foundation in honor of the home she loved so much. Brookside Funeral Home is caring for the family. Memories and condolences can be shared at www.brooksidefuneral.com.