Nadine Reed Washington was born April 15, 1948 in Oakland, CA and passed away at the age of 75 on January 13, 2024 in Merced, California where she has been a resident of since the age of 2 years old. She was the youngest of 4 children, born into the union of Willie M. Reed and Essie D. Reed. Due to the fact that she was the youngest child and small in stature, her oldest sister gave her the nickname, “Beanie.”
Nadine obtained her primary education at Weaver Elementary School in Merced, CA. At the age of 12, while accompanying her mother and father as they worked in the cotton fields, Nadine’s mother had a stroke. She was quickly loaded into the family car and as her father rushed to get to the hospital, young Nadine positioned herself behind her mother as she lay and held her head still. It was at this moment that Nadine decided that she wanted to pursue a career in Nursing. At the age of 16, Nadine accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior and was baptized at St. Matthew Missionary Baptist Church. She was a faithful member of the church and served on the Usher Board for many years. After graduating from Merced High School in 1966, Nadine went on to study at Modesto Junior College where she obtained an Associate Degree in Registered Nursing in 1968. Later that year, Nadine married the love of her life, Napoleon Washington, Jr. on November 6, 1968. Through their union, they were blessed with three beautiful children: Gregory, their first-born son and a set of twins, Kimberlee and Geoffrey.
Her career as a Registered Nurse in both the Healthcare and Hospice industries spanned 50 years. Throughout her tenure in the Healthcare industry, she served in various capacities including Home Care R.N., Clinical Assistant Instructor, Medical Records Supervisor and Head Registered Nurse. During that time, Nadine continued her education by earning a Bachelor of Science degree from Chapman University. After retiring as an R.N. in the Healthcare industry, Nadine transitioned to a role as a Bereavement Coordinator for Hinds Hospice, the very same organization that ultimately ended up caring for her during her final days until the Lord called her home. After working in the Hospice industry for several years, she retired for a second time and began volunteering at Mercy Medical Center, where she worked at the lobby desk in the Surgery Waiting Room.
Due to her very strong faith in God and belief in serving others, Nadine was actively involved in her church as well as in the community. She volunteered at local charitable organizations including Love INC and the Homeless Shower Ministry. Nadine also served on the Merced County Jail Ministry Board of Directors for 10 years. In addition to supporting causes to raise money in the fight against Alzheimer’s Disease, she was extremely passionate about promoting education and fundraising to support Breast Cancer Awareness, in part because she too, was a 3-time Breast Cancer survivor. She was also a strong advocate for the American Cancer Society and Relay for Life.
At the time of her death, Nadine was an active member of Christian Life Center, Merced, CA and even though she was stricken with Cancer herself, she continued to minister and provide comfort to others dealing with similar challenges up until her final days.
Nadine is preceded in death by her loving husband of 49 years, Rev. Dr. Napoleon Washington, Jr.; father, Wille M. Reed; mother, Essie D. Reed; maternal grandparents, Virgil Nelson and Minnie Nelson; paternal grandparents, John Reed and Caroline Reed; sisters, Willie Mae Ogletree-Robinson, Elna “Edna” Ruth Dunn and her twin sister who died at birth, Madine Reed and brother, Charlie J. Reed. Incidentally, all 3 of Nadine’s siblings died from Cancer and she would often testify how fortunate and blessed she was for having the privilege of caring for each of them during their final days.
Nadine is survived by her children, Gregory D. Washington of Phoenix, AZ, Kimberlee Nadine Nichols, Merced, CA and Geoffrey Napoleon Washington, Sr., Merced, CA. She also leaves behind six grandchildren, Trinitty J. Booker, Jerrik D. Pipkin-Washington, Geoffrey N. Washington, Jr., Valeria Armenta-Washington, Kyan J. Washington and Isaiah S. Taylor. She also leaves behind 3 great-grandchildren, Maya Marie Washington, Braylee T. Washington, Malik J. Washington along with many loving cousins, nieces, nephews, friends, former colleagues and patients.
