A virtuous and capable wife . . . is more precious than rubies. Her husband can trust her, and she will greatly enrich his life. She is clothed with strength and dignity . . . Her children stand and bless her. Her husband praises her. Reward her for all she has done. Let her deeds publicly declare her praise. (adapted from Proverbs 31).
Nancy departed this life at home on Good Friday, March 29th, in Sammamish, Washington, at the age of 59, surrounded by her husband, son and wife and grandson, and other loving family members. Born in Tacoma to David and Betty Jane Mefford on May 6, 1953, she was raised in Richmond, Virginia after her father completed military service. Attending Radford College, she left to marry Daniel Bailey in Richmond on June 9, 1973, having first met as high school sweethearts. Nancy loved to travel, and with Dan's career in the Navy, she embraced the traveling life, living in California, Japan, Maryland, England, and Pennsylvania. She loved exploring the local culture wherever she lived, and gained experience as a 5th level Sogetsu Ikebana flower arranger in Japan; she also trained as a needlepoint expert with the Royal Needlepoint Society while in Cheltenham, England.
She was a loving and devoted mother who raised a good son, proud of all his efforts and accomplishments. But her special affinity for young children led her to a life calling of teaching through child care and preschool. No matter where we lived, she worked tirelessly for the care of young children, from church preschools to Japanese orphanages. Not long after Dan took a job with Boeing in 1997, she trained as a Montessori preschool instructor aide, and worked for 2 Montessori schools for almost 14 years, until cancer made it impossible to continue.
It is with deepest sorrow that we note her passing. She is survived by her husband, Daniel, son, Matthew, daughter-in law Jennifer, and grandson Adam; her mother Betty Jane and sister Anna Hubbard, of Newport News, Virginia; brother David, of Cincinnati, Ohio; and their respective families, nieces and nephews. She was also much loved by the Bailey family. She will be sorely missed.