Nancy Parks

Nancy Parks passed on March 20, 2023 from Parkinson’s Disease. She was born in Portland on July 17, 1945 to William and Frances Hall. She joined brother Stuart and sister Laurie in their tight knit family. Portland remained her home throughout her childhood, where she graduated from Sunset High School. Nancy left Portland for Salem where she attended Willamette University majoring in biology. At Willamette she met Phil, her lifelong dance partner, and her beloved sorority sisters who remained close throughout the years. After graduating from Willamette with a teaching degree, Nancy began her education career at LaSalle High School in Portland and later moved to Salem and taught biology at McNary High School.

Nancy and Phil were married in 1970 and son Andrew Philip (AP) was born in 1974 and son Stuart followed in 1976.

After teaching for some time, she decided to pursue a master’s degree in counseling from Portland State University. This marked the beginning of a long and fruitful career as a high school counselor. By the time she retired from Salem-Keizer School District, she had held counseling positions in four other Salem High Schools: Sprague (which she helped open in 1972), McKay, North, and South. After her retirement she was invited to continue her work at Blanchet Catholic School until 2014, when she was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease. In the course of her work as a counselor, Nancy touched so many lives. She helped countless students as they navigated the ups and downs of their high school years. Her involvement with students often extended long after they had graduated. Many became her lifelong friends. Her forte was helping students with college plans and she wrote many, many recommendations as she guided her counselees into the future.

Nancy always made time for family and friends. She was known and loved for her zest for life and her interest in the people she met along the way. She was the consummate homemaker, entertainer, decorator, gardener, baker, and flower arranger. Together, Phil and Nancy opened their home to host friends and family for dinner parties, holiday celebrations, and momentous family milestones which needed celebrating. Her signature meringue pies, birthday cakes and sticky buns delighted her many friends and her family.

In addition to her work in Salem schools, Nancy found time to volunteer in the community. She enthusiastically supported the work of Family Building Blocks and served on its board for several years.

Nancy leaves behind husband Phil, of 52 years, son Andrew, daughter-in-law Katie, grandchildren Livi, Drew, and Will of Eugene, son Stuart and daughter-in-law Julie of Portland. She also leaves her brother Stuart Hall, sister Laurie Hall, and adoring nieces/nephews in Portland. She will be missed by her extended family and many, many friends.

A memorial service for Nancy will be held on April 29th at 2:00 PM at Salem First Presbyterian Church. In lieu of flowers the family requests a donation be made in memory of Nancy to the Michael J Fox Foundation (www.michaeljfox.org) or American Parkinson’s Disease Association (www.APDAparkinson.org).