Nancy Musick Cottrell

Nancy Musick Cottrell was born on May 14, 1934 and passed on June 5, 2019. She was surrounded by her loving and adoring family. She was born in Edgar, Nebraska to Milan Arthur and Cora Shuck Musick. Her family moved to Washington state in 1936, where her brother Larry, sister Cheryl, and youngest brother Michael joined the family. They settled in the beautiful coastal community of Moclips, Washington, finding work in the timber industry.

Following Nancy’s graduation from Moclips High School, she entered a nursing program at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Tacoma, Washington. She trained to become a nurse and flourished there, especially loving working in the operating room. While in training Nancy made many wonderful lifelong friends.

Nancy was introduced to James Vincent Cottrell who was stationed at Fort Lewis, Washington while serving during the Korean War. When Jim was transferred to France, Nancy and he began writing to each other resulting in a treasure trove of letters. They married on April 15, 1955 and joyously welcomed their first child Kerry Lynn, into the world a year later. James Arthur, Thomas Lee and Kathleen Anne followed over the next few years.

These were memorable years where Jim and Nancy raised their family on 60 acres in a large farmhouse near Tumwater, Washington. Nancy continued working as a nurse, a profession dear to her heart until her 3rd child was born and then she worked hard as a full time Mom on 60 acres with a large and beautiful garden that everyone tended to. There were chickens and cows and horses and even some butter churning during those years!

In 1969 Nancy (and Jim) sold the farm and got in business together running motels.

They bought their 1st motel in Moscow ID then Coos Bay OR, John Day OR and Gold Beach OR.

Nancy found great joy in the golf world. Going to tournaments, whether with her lady friends or her husband these social events were a large part of her life. Dancing too was an important part of her life and family gatherings were also always a top priority.

Her rich friendships and passion for family brought them to sunny Arizona where they spent many of their later years between Mesa AZ and lastly Sun Lakes AZ. They golfed and soaked up the sun and spent the summers back in the northwest with friends and family there too.

Nancy’s knack for hospitality was a gift of near dynastic proportions and always warm, gracious, comforting, and above all genuine. She loved hosting gatherings of friends and family. She always kept an open-door policy toward her loving sons and daughters and their families, her brothers and sister and their families, nieces, nephews, and even just last year co-hosting her grandnephew, David’s and friends, golf portion of his bachelor party in Coos Bay. As a result of Nancy’s still fun loving self she developed 2 new Grand-nephews, Alex and Ben who so graciously and welcomed by her called her Aunt Nan. This is who Nancy was.

Nancy is preceded in death by her loving and deeply missed husband of 62 years, Jim, who passed away in 2017, her greatly loved daughter, Kerry Lynn, and two adored siblings, Larry and Cheryl. She is survived by her children James (Glenda), Thomas (Karen), and Kathleen (Alex); grandchildren Vincent, Karlee, Erica, Bruce, Gwen and brother Michael (Donna). Nancy will forever be remembered by her numerous nieces, nephews, extended family and dear friends.

Inurnment will be Friday, August 2, 2019, 3:00 pm at Mills & Mills 5725 Littlerock Rd SW Tumwater WA. 98512 Reception to follow, almost next door at:

Pellegrino’s Events 5757 Littlerock Rd SW Tumwater WA 98512