Nancy J. Headden
Sept. 21, 1933 – Jan. 26, 2006
Nancy Joan Headden passed away Jan. 26, 2006 while vacationing in Hawaii, a place that had become very dear to her.
Nancy, the daughter of Herbert M. and Ruth E. Kingsland, was born in Morristown, N.J., and was the fourth of their five children.
After graduating from high school in Mountain Lakes, N.J., she attended Connecticut College and graduated from Skidmore College where she majored in home economics.
She married William Perry Headden Jr. in 1955, before Bill became an Army officer. They were stationed in Texas where their first daughter, Barbara Marie, was born. Shortly thereafter, their second daughter, Carol Elizabeth, was born and was followed four years later by their third daughter, Virginia Anne.
In 2005, Bill and Nancy celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary.
Nancy was a natural teacher her whole life and utilized the newest teaching techniques to educate her students. She was a kindergarten teacher at Harbor Day School, Newport Beach, Calif.; The Bush School, Seattle, Wash.; and St. Thomas Day School, Medina, Wash. She also was the director of admissions at Harbor Day School.
Outside of the classroom, Nancy’s curiosity extended to every activity she pursued, passing on her wonder of all things in nature to her children and grandchildren.
She was an active boater for 40 years as a racing and recreational sailor and a power boater. She was a member of Balboa Yacht Club in Newport Beach, Calif., and the Seattle Yacht Club in Seattle, Wash. She spent the last 16 years of her life as a resident of Friday Harbor, Wash., exploring her beloved San Juan Islands, looking for orcas, eagles and turning over every rock she could move to discover its inhabitants.
She was also an active golfer and was very interested in passing along the joy she received from golf. She was a member of the San Juan Golf and Country Club and played in the Ladies’ Group for many years. She spent 12 summers working with the professionals at San Juan Golf and Country Club to promote the junior program and volunteered her time to make the program a success that continues to this day.
Nancy’s most important focus was her family. She is survived by her husband, three daughters and four grandchildren. She used to say, “Love is for everyday, not just the holidays” and lived her life demonstrating this value.
The family will hold a small private service on the waters of San Juan Channel in the San Juan Islands. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that donations be made to The Junior Golf Program of the San Juan Golf and Country Club, P.O. Box 246, Friday Harbor, WA. 98250.
— The Nancy J. Headden family
