Obituary: Wilkinson, Nancy Elise
Age 67
She now happily rejoins so many of her family members and friends that she has dearly missed.
Nancy Elise Wilkinson was born in Spokane, WA to Roy and Bernice (Thanem) Wilkinson on July 20, 1947.
She was the second of their two children, as an infant brother who had been born a few years prior, had lived only a day before his passing.
Nancy lived the entirety of her life in Spokane and the Spokane Valley.
During her younger years, she attended Lakeland Village in Medical Lake, even acquiring the special position as news reporter of the Village Voice, during her final two years there, which she thoroughly enjoyed.
Her job carried over in the fact that she still loved to absorb all that she heard on the evening news, and then inform people of events taking place both here and around the world.
For several years she lived at a group home located in the Browne’s Addition, but then moved to group home in the Spokane Valley, run by SL Start, and lived there until the present time with her housemates, Linda, Lynette and Deanna (now deceased).
Nancy was a dedicated volunteer at the Veteran’s Hospital working in the laundry dept.
for approx.
22 years.
She retired in 2009, earning an award for 25,000 hours of service, and always looked forward to their annual recognition banquet, buying a new beautiful dress and corsages for herself and her invited guests.
Nancy had many interests, which included; her pet parakeet (Tiger Baby) which she doted on, receiving and sending cards to friends and relatives for all holidays and other special occasions, watching her game shows (with her favorite being the Wheel Of Fortune, then talking to her guardian and a friend afterwards to discuss the outcome and asking, “Are they going to win tomorrow?
), putting flowers on her family’s markers at memorial time, going to casinos (especially to Coeur d’Alene each year to celebrate her birthday), joking with staff and housemates, going on drives and also to the SL Start office with staff, her monthly outings with her guardian, Cheryl and her Mom Betty, and checking out books from the library.
Nancy was able to go on a wonderful trip to Disneyland several years back and also a fun cruise on Coeur d’Alene Lake with her friends, which left her with many fond memories.
She was quite proud to say that her middle name, “Elise” was the same as her Grandmas!
Nancy had such a caring heart for everyone and it was evident even when driving by fire stations, as when she saw them she would always say “Bless You”.
Nancy was preceded in death by her parents, Roy and Bernice Wilkinson; infant baby brother; grandparents, Ralph and Lillian Wilkinson, Clause and Elise Thanem; and her aunt, Vivian Gulliford (Clyde).
She is survived by her cousins, James Gulliford (Marjorie) of Vancouver, WA, Dennis Gulliford (Lyn) of San Diego, CA; numerous 2nd and 3rd cousins; her friend/guardian for the past 10 years, Cheryl Johnston; and countless additional close, wonderful friends.
A very special note of thanks to all SL Start staff and associates for the special and loving care of Nancy over the years, and also to her house mates for being her true blue friends (especially Linda for taking such good care of her precious little Tiger), she loved you all.
Also, many thanks to all the doctors, nurses, etc.
who gave her excellent care while both in Valley and Deaconness Hospitals.
A service for Nancy will be held on Wednesday, June 17th at 2:00 PM at Thornhill Valley Funeral Chapel, 1400 S. Pines, Spokane Valley WA.
This will be a closed casket service, but those who wish may come to a visitation, which will be held from 3:00 - 6:00pm at Thornhill on Tuesday June 16th.