Obituary

Nancy Lou Schiller Smith born June 14, 1935 to Joseph and Edna (Jensen) Schiller in Bellingham WA. She was raised on the family farm in Ferndale WA . Nancy passed away on August 18, 2016 in the comfort of her home surrounded by her family after a diagnosis of cancer 6 years ago. She wanted to have quality of life vs quantity and said repeatedly “I’m going to deal with this my way.” Which she did by not taking treatment and was admired for her courage by many including her Dr’s at Virginia Mason in Seattle.
Nancy always had an adventurous spirit to try new things, which generated many road trips with or without anyone along, but her true passion was her home. Cooking, Baking, Quilting and Country Western Music. She loved reminiscing about her past and sharing her many stories of growing up in Ferndale as a child, and spending time with friends and family. Always giving of herself. Our mom was a tiny woman with great strength. One of Her greatest strengths was as caregiver to many family members. We all know she was a spit fire at heart and shared many laughs with her. She repeatedly commented that she had lived a wonderful life.
Nancy was preceded in death by her husband Robert “Bob” Smith in 1983. Nancy is survived by daughters Jackie Kales, Terri Jones, Lori Venners, Sandy Ryser (Ron), grandchildren Romeyn Potto (Jeff), Sarah August (Mike), Jenny Kapp (Ryan,) TC Anderson, Briyana Jones (Rochad), Nate and Emily Ryser, great grand-children Payton and Nicholas Kapp, Addison Potto, Aiyana and Dezden Jones, sisters Joan McClellan (Richard) and Charlene Marshall and numerous nieces and nephews.
As our mother would say “Bye For Now.”
Nancy’s Celebration of Life will be held Saturday August 27th at 11:00 am at Greenacres Memorial Park in Ferndale, WA with reception to follow at Squalicum Boathouse, Zuanich Park, 2600 Harbor Loop Bellingham. In lieu of flowers Nancy has requested memorials be made to the nonprofit “Keeping Canine In Kevlar Vest Foundation” 3901 Airport Way, Bellingham, WA, Officer Shan Hanon.