Nancy Elizabeth Wendt

Everett since 1968, Nancy was born on October 23, 1947 to John and Irene Vitalich in

San Diego, California. Along with her brother Michael, she grew up in a loving family in

the Southern California city of Chula Vista.

After 12 years in Catholic School, Nancy joined a convent with the intention of becoming

a nun. However, that plan was not to be, and she ended up studying at University of San

Diego Women’s College, which eventually merged with the University of San Diego. As a

young woman, Nancy’s sense of adventure and inherent curiosity also led her to the

jungles of Chiapas, Mexico for four months to work with her college professor in a

Mayan village. While there she lived in a hut with a dirt floor, no electricity and no

running water, helping to deliver babies in a community where the only mode of

transportation was by horseback.

Shortly after leaving the convent, Nancy met her future husband, Richard Wendt, at a

midshipmen’s ball in San Diego. He proposed 11 days later, and they were married for

39 years before his passing in 2007. Following their wedding, Nancy and Richard moved

to Everett and raised three wonderful girls – Lisa Wendt of Phoenix, and Anne Wendt

(Nate Pioli), and Lauren Wendt, both of Arlington. Five years ago, Nancy and her girls

bought a home in Puerto Penasco, Mexico. She absolutely loved visiting Lisa in Arizona,

and heading to Mexico whenever she could.

Nothing was more important to Nancy than her family. Her grandchildren Cadin

Yeckley, Annabelle Hull (Morgan), Tristan Yeckley (Justine), Ava Yeckley, Sophia Pioli,

and Oliver Pioli, as well as her great grandchildren Behrett Hull, Felix Hull, and a third

great grandbaby on the way were the light of her life. She was “Nuna'' to them, and to all

of their friends. Nancy is also survived by her sisters-in-law, Rita Vitalich (Arizona) and

Lois Wendt (Alabama), and many nieces and nephews whom she loved dearly. 

Anyone that knew Nancy, loved her. She gave the best hugs, and made everyone she

encountered feel loved. She never met a stranger.

The family will be holding a private graveside service. A celebration of life is to be held at

a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Richard & Nancy Wendt

Endowment at Richard and Nancy Wendt Endowment at CFSC or mail to the

Community Foundation of Snohomish County at 2823 Rockefeller Avenue,

Everett, WA 98201 on behalf of the endowment.