Nancy Esther Ranum McChesney

Nancy Esther Ranum McChesney, 80, of Coulee Dam, Wash., died Sunday, Feb. 15, 2015, at Hospice House North in Spokane, WA, with family at her side.

Born April 19, 1934, in Faribault, Minn., Nancy was the youngest of four daughters born to Luther H. and Esther Ann Riach Ranum. Nancy lost her mother on her fifth birthday, and her father three years later. She spent the remainder of her childhood living with various relatives in Minnesota and California. She often told her family that it was when she moved in with her eldest sister's family in Cumberland, MD, at age 16 that she was able to experience a sense of security for the first time. She especially credited her brother-in-law, Paul Stitcher for providing the firm guidance that helped her excel and graduate from Fort Hill High School in 1952.

After graduation, Nancy moved to Washington, DC, where she worked for the government. She moved to San Francisco in 1954 where she met her husband of 60 years, Alan R. McChesney. They traveled and lived all over the western U.S., pursuing their dreams and many interests. Nancy was a prolific artist throughout her life, favoring abstract art. Her love of animals was legendary.

Nancy is survived by numerous nieces and nephews, including Marnie (Tom) Malpass of Seattle, Wash., Gary Smith of Malaga, Wash., Sharli Miller of Mead, Wash., Dave (Liliane) Small of Cypress, Tex., Nancy Reed of Cumberland, MD, Tom (Cathy) Stitcher of Salisbury, MD, Matt (Diane) Stitcher of Fredrick, MD, and Steve (Cynthia) Stitcher of Rose Hill, Kan. In addition to her parents, Nancy was preceded in death by her husband, Al, (2013), and her sisters, Marnie (2002), Cissy (2004), and Jeanie (2011).

At her request, there will be no services. Nancy and Al donated their bodies to science and have asked that their remains be scattered "someplace beautiful."

The family would like to especially thank Nancy's caregiver, Linda (Russ) Ireland of Coulee City, Wash., her dear neighbor, John Brophel, and the wonderful team at Coulee Medical Center. The family requests that memorials be made to Coulee Medical Center, Grand Coulee, Wash., Frontier Home Health and Hospice, Omak, Wash., Hospice House North, Spokane, WA, or Medcure, Inc., Portland, Ore.