Nancy Jean Yakish

Nancy Jean Yakish, born on March 12, 1950, in Winona, Minnesota, passed away peacefully at her home in Vancouver, Washington surrounded by family on December 3, 2025, at the age of 75. Nancy was known for emphasizing the importance of community and volunteerism, enrichment through literature, and prioritizing meaningful experiences as a family.

Raised in Winona, Minnesota, Nancy was the daughter of Donald and Helen Wing. After graduating from Winona Senior High School in 1968, Nancy funded her higher education working as a Research Tech at J.R. Watkins. She earned two Bachelor of Science Degrees in Nursing and Botany from Winona State College in 1972. During college she taught Biology to her classmates. Later in life she expressed interest in pursuing a Master of Science in Archaeology, but she was never able to bring it to fruition.

Nancy’s career began in 1973 as a Nurse in the Nursery at Providence St. Vincent Medical Center in Beaverton, Oregon. After five years, she moved to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Doernbecher Children’s Hospital in Portland, Oregon in the Spring of 1978. She excelled at detecting heart murmurs in preemies and advocating for them in surgery.

While raising a family, and after 18 years at Doernbechers, Nancy paused her career to take care of personal health challenges. Because of the gift of a liver transplant in 1994, a kidney transplant in 1999, and Dr. John Rabkin’s care, Nancy was able to enjoy life with her family and friends for many more decades. Once her children left the home, Nancy returned to work briefly as a Charge Nurse on a ventilation unit at Pacific Specialty & Rehab Care in Vancouver, Washington.

Nancy married Thomas Yakish on August 18,1973 in Winona, Minnesota at St Stanislaus Kostka Basilica. They met in college and celebrated 52 years of commitment and dedication. In her personal life, Nancy enjoyed her cats, gardening, reading, knitting, history, organizing vacations, planning family reunions, and putting other’s needs before her own.

Despite working and raising three children, she loved to offer her time and talents to the community. Organizations include Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, Fort Vancouver Regional Historic Site, and the Oregon Zoo. She loved knitting scarves for the Portland Rescue Mission and donating to numerous charities. Nancy was an avid member of The National Society Daughters of the American Revolution and the Wing Family of America.

Nancy is survived by her Husband, Thomas of Vancouver, Washington; her Daughter, Sarah of Vancouver, Washington; her Daughter, Ellen of Salt Lake City, Utah; her Son, Timothy and her Grandson Dylan Carter of Vancouver, Washington and Redlands, California; her Sister, Mary Schultz of El Cerrito, California; her Brother, Robert Wing of Savage, Minnesota; and her cats Charlie and Bennie.

A simple memorial service will follow interment in the Spring at Lone Fir Cemetery in Portland, Oregon. In honor of Nancy’s memory, contributions can be made to Doernbecher Children’s Hospital, American Liver Foundation, National Kidney Foundation, or The Humane Society.