Nancy Louise Burlingame
April 17, 1939 - July 17, 2025
Obituary
Nancy Louise Burlingame, 86, a devoted family woman, enthusiastic adventurer, and compassionate helper, passed away peacefully on Thursday, July 17, 2025, at 4:45 AM, at Wesley Hospice in Des Moines, WA.
Born on April 17, 1939, in Harrison, Arkansas, Nancy’s early life saw her family move to Montesano, Washington, the heart of the Pacific Northwest’s logging industry. She attended Montesano schools, where she played the trumpet in the high school band and was an active member of the Theta Rho Girls Club. It was at a local dance in 1956 that she met Harry Burlingame, her future husband. Their courtship continued while Harry pursued his education at the University of Washington and Nancy completed high school and attended Grays Harbor Junior College.
Nancy and Harry married in January 1959, settling in Seattle’s Alki neighborhood. While Harry began his career at Boeing, Nancy worked in various temporary and secretarial roles. Together, they embraced the adventurous spirit of the Pacific Northwest. They joined the Seattle Mountaineers, with Nancy proudly summiting Mount Saint Helens when it still was a beautiful, symmetrical peak of some 8,000 feet. Their shared love for the outdoors truly blossomed with kayaks, joining the Washington Foldboat Club (later the Washington Kayak Club). They spent many happy years exploring whitewater rivers, saltwater coves, and islands across the Northwest, British Columbia, and Vancouver Island.
Their son, Bryan, born in 1962, was immediately included in all their adventures. Nancy often served as the dedicated shuttle driver for their kayaking and later their extensive bicycling trips with the Boeing Employee’s Bicycle Club. Discovering early cross-country skiing, they imported the finest wooden equipment from Norway, mastering waxing techniques to explore snowy mountain trails. In the 1990s, Nancy and Harry embarked on numerous “Europe Through the Back Door” trips, satisfying their curiosity for wider world exploration.
Beyond her passion for the outdoors, Nancy dedicated herself to helping others. She also found deep purpose and satisfaction in supporting others on their journeys of recovery, offering a compassionate ear and unwavering encouragement within a supportive community. Her wisdom and generosity touched countless lives.
In 2021, Nancy and Harry moved to Wesley Des Moines, a continued care retirement facility, where they enjoyed a more relaxed lifestyle with friends and group activities. Nancy will be remembered for her adventurous spirit, her unwavering support for her family’s passions, her quiet strength, and her profound generosity in helping others find their path to recovery and peace.
Nancy is survived by her beloved husband of 66 years, Harry Burlingame, and their son, Bryan Burlingame. The family will hold a private remembrance.
This is a lovely tribute to the life of a treasured friend. She will always hold a special place in our hearts.
Nancy was my neighbor and friend here at Wesley, enjoyed our monthly visits so much. Enjoyed getting to know Little Cat, her beloved cat that also became my friend. My joy was to have known Nancy for this brief time, a real gift 💝.