Nancy Ann Ufkes
Nancy Ann Ufkes, 52, passed away on July 22, 2017 from melanoma cancer after a long hospitalization. A loving and proud mother of her daughter, Reiko, she lived in Kirkland, Washington, and worked as a computer industry project manager for many years.
She was born on September 7, 1964 in Orange, California where she was raised. She moved to the Puget Sound area as a career choice, and to also provide a stable living situation for her daughter she raised on her own. She would always say how important it was to her that her daughter need not change schools as the grade school, high school, and university years went by.
She loved her music. As a child, she could be mostly found in front of a piano. Practice scales, and hand exercises, as well as moving melodies filled her childhood and young adult homes. She took piano lessons for over ten years growing up, and in high school she won many age/open piano recital competitions in the Los Angeles area, and also studied music in college. But she mostly just loved music, understanding theory, but also knowing how fun it could be for her.
She also loved to travel and to learn. While in college she attended Chapman University, the University of Arizona, as well as finishing her degree in political science at San Francisco State University. After college, she went to Japan to teach English, ultimately marrying while living in Nagoya, Japan, where her daughter was born.
Upon returning to the United States she lived and worked near her extended family again in Orange County, California, and throughout her life she attended a variety of Christian Churches, which were mostly Lutheran in denomination or practice. She had her Bible next to her hospital bed during the entire last months of her struggle with cancer.
But she is also very much remembered as a ferocious and enthusiastic friend, sometimes to those she hardly knew, but also to many that she shared deep long lasting relations with her entire life. She is missed very much by so many.
In addition to her daughter, she is survived by her mother, Rose Marie Ufkes (Yuba City, CA), as well as her seven siblings; Deanna Tsuruda (Gerald) of Eagle, Idaho, Marian Ufkes of Anaheim, CA, Betsy Olivera (John), of Meridian, CA, Fred Ufkes (Cyndy) of Pacific Palisades, CA, John Ufkes (Julie) of Ellensburg, WA, Eric Ufkes, of Redmond, WA, and Mark Ufkes (Andrea) of Orange, CA, as well as a large number of nieces and nephews.
She is preceded in death by her father, Alvin James Ufkes.
A service/memorial is being scheduled and will be held at some future date, in her home town of Orange, CA, as was her wish. You are invited to share memories of Nancy and leave condolences at this site, www.bartonfuneral.com.