Nancy Lind

1942 - 2025

Nancy May 4, 1942 - Lind Nancy Ann Lind was born May 4, 1942, in Centralia, Washington to Anton Lind and Elsie (Glad) Lind.
Nancy was born prematurely but she grew up to be bigger than life. She had such a presence - even though blind from birth and challenged with cerebral palsy, with her indomitable spirit she lived life to the fullest. When living at home, her mother would set up a weaving loom and Nancy would weave placemats that she sold or gave away as gifts.
Nancy attended the Washington School for the Blind in Vancouver, Washington. Always wanting to contribute and make her own way, she worked at the Lighthouse for the Blind in Seattle and received a worker of the year award. Later, Nancy worked at Work Opportunities and enjoyed her work very much until her retirement. She gave motivational speeches at various organizations and events and took advantage of training at Provail in Seattle to better use the features of her iPhone independently.
Nancy did not complain about her lot in life. Instead she was ready to try everything she could and to be involved, although she drew the line at axe throwing. But a party or going to hear The Smilin' Scandinavians Polka Band whenever they were in the area were things she did not want to miss.
Nancy loved her church, Edmonds United Methodist, and attended as many services and events that she could. She was a board member of Home for Good which provided housing for developmentally disabled adults. Nancy was especially active in the Snohomish County Council of the Blind as 2nd Vice President and was a member of the Washington State Council of the Blind, participating on the Scholarship Committee, Advocacy Committee, and the History Committee. Bridge Ministries, an organization that connects local church membership with disabled adults was also a favorite activity of Nancy's.
In the last few years of her life, Nancy received the wonderful news that she had a brother. She was so excited and delighted for this revelation which came about through a cousin researching family history and ancestry. She and her brother Jon hit it off right away and it added so much pleasure to Nancy's final years to know him and her two nieces.
Nancy resided at the Smithwright Group Home of Alpha Supported Living Services for the last 18 years where the wonderful staff were also her good friends. In fact Nancy's greatest delight, after The Smilin' Scandinavians Polka Band and her family, were her friends - and she collected many over the years.
Nancy was preceded in death by her father and mother, niece Mari, and cousins Marilyn Olson, Delores Thomas, and Judy Glad. She is survived by her brother Jon Swanson (Joanne), nieces Kristi (Lucky) and Wendy (Aaron), cousins Gail Wiprud (Frank), Linda Merritt, Ron Lind (Pam), Shirley Tombley, Donnie Glad (Susie) and many other cousins and relatives. Nancy's name is being carried on on Whidbey Island by her cousin Ron and his children and grandchildren Adam, Ben, and Myles Lind.
Nancy was ready for heaven, actually seeing angels the night before she passed. She was looking forward to seeing her dog Laddie and her best friend Teresa who had beat her to heaven.
A memorial service in celebration of Nancy's life will be held on Sunday, September 21, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. at Edmonds United Methodist Church, 828 Caspers St., Edmonds, WA 98020.
In memory of Nancy, Edmonds United Methodist Church will be accepting donations to be divided between the non-profit organizations that gave so much to her life: Alpha Supported Living Services, Bridge Ministries, Provail, Snohomish County Council of the Blind, Washington State Council of the Blind, Work Opportunities, and her church.