Nancy Joyce DeGennaro

Nancy J. DeGennaro, age 69, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, November 21, 2018, at Adventist Hospital in Portland, OR. She was born November 23, 1948, in Norfolk, Virginia, to Earl and Lois (Plaehn) Wickliffe.

Nancy graduated from Buckley-Loda High School in Loda, Illinois and received a Bachelor’s degree from Illinois State University. She taught the 4th grade in Illinois until she picked up with friends and moved to Seattle, Washington. It was in Seattle where she found her true calling to become a nurse. She married her husband, Matthew DeGennaro, on December 23, 1983.

Nancy worked as an RN for over 30 years and helped numerous mental health, medical surgical, oncology, telemetry and cardiology patients. She was deeply caring and had such a healing presence, her husband and daughter remember numerous letters and occasions where Nancy was approached with heartfelt thanks for the great care and support she provided. She was pragmatic, wise, fiercely independent and so open and loving. Everyone who met her, loved her and felt her warmth and light.

Nancy spent most of her free time in the garden surrounded by flowers. With a magical green thumb and creative eye, she was a master gardener and created beautiful gardens wherever she lived. She also attended various garden clubs and volunteered to maintain public gardens such as the Mounts Botanical Gardens in Florida and the Zimmerman Heritage Garden in Gresham, OR.

Nancy is survived by her husband, Matthew; daughter Starr; step sons Antony and Matthew; step grandchildren Marie, JP, Matthew, Nicholas, Daniel; step great granddaughter Maya; her brothers Les and James, sisters Joan and Ann; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. Family, friends, and others whose lives Nancy touched are invited to a Scattering Ashes Ceremony in Portland on Sunday, December 16th at noon. A second ceremony will be held in Florida TBD.