Nan Smillie Finck

May 27, 1927-March 31, 2011

Nan Smillie Finck went to be with her Heavenly Father March 31, 2011. She was born May 29, 1927, in Minatare, Nebraska, to Ed and Fern Smillie. She spent most of her youth growing up among the orange orchards in the San Fernando Valley, California. In her teen years, her parents moved to Lancaster, California, where she finished high school. She went on to college at Santa Barbara. She met Irwin Finck in Lancaster, and they were married in 1947. They farmed in Lancaster with Irwin's father. They also increased their household with four lovely daughters. Nan helped Irwin in the fields as well as taking care of her family. In 1965, they moved to Pasco, Washington, seeing a better agricultural opportunity. They lived and farmed in Block 16 until 1987, when they moved to her daughter and son-in-law's farm on the east side of Pasco. They retired from farming in 1992. They spent their retirement years seeing their beloved country and spending time with their daughters and grandchildren.

Nan was an accomplished homemaker and active in 4-H, Toastmasters, Our Lady of Lourdes Auxiliary, Franklin County Farm Bureau and was the Washington State Women's Committee Chairman for the Washington State Farm Bureau. She was also an active member of Grace United Reformed Church in Kennewick. She was a master seamstress taking pride and great enjoyment in sewing beautiful clothing and quilts for her daughters and others. She enjoyed entertaining and was such a gracious hostess.

Nan is survived by her four daughters: Leigh Bradstreet, (Greg), Salem, Oregon; Gail Corson, (Alan), Tualatin, Oregon; Debra Finck, Portland, Oregon; and Cinda Middleton, (Bill), Pasco, Washington. She is also survived by 12 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren and her brother, Dave Smillie, Florida. She was preceded in death by her husband, Irwin Finck, on October 27, 2010.

Nan led an abundant life serving others and sharing her faith in God and country. She took very seriously the responsibility and privilege of living in a free country, America, where she never missed an opportunity to vote or worship at the church of her choice.

A celebration of life will be held at Faith Assembly Church in Pasco, Washington, on Saturday, April 9, 2011, at 2:30 pm.

In lieu of flowers, remembrances can be made to Hospice at the Chaplaincy, 2108 Entiat Street, Kennewick, Washington, 99336.

Our family gives our sincere thanks and appreciation to the dear people of Grace United Reformed Church, her loyal friends and family, and Hospice for their tender care and concern. You made the hard times so much easier.

The family invites you to sign the online guestbook available on www.tricityherald.com.