Nikki Ylon Fink
March 14, 1982 – October 17, 2010
Nikki Fink, 28, of Friday Harbor, Wash., died of cystic fibrosis at University of Washington Medical Center after an extended stay while awaiting a lung transplant.
Cystic fibrosis is a hereditary disease affecting multiple systems of the body, primarily the respiratory and digestive systems.
Nikki was born in Lansing, Michigan, living there surrounded by her father’s extended family for her first few years. She then moved with her parents to El Paso, Texas living with her mother’s extended family until she was seven years old, when she and her family moved to San Juan Island and lived in the Puget Sound area ever since.
Nikki lived her life joyfully. Her health care needs were considerable, but she took care of them with such diligence and grace it was easy for those around her to be unaware of the magnitude of the burden that it imposed on her life.
Unlike most children, Nikki was in no hurry to grow up. She always said that life went too fast and she wanted more time to enjoy being a kid. Throughout her life she remained a kid at heart, with maturity beyond her years.
She filled her life with music and sang beautifully. During high school, she was second-alternate in a statewide singing competition for two years in a row and was active in other high school performances and community events. She sang with the San Juan Singers, was awarded a singing scholarship to Western Washington University, and sang in cystic fibrosis fundraisers.
She was artistic and loved scrapbooking, arts and crafts. She was an avid reader and loved scary movies. When she was well enough, she snowboarded.
During her last stay in the hospital she was learning to knit.
Nikki joked that she must be solar-powered because she loved the sun so much and spent many long days at the beach playing and collecting beach glass with her son Xander and sweetheart Adam. Her son, extended family and friends were the heart of her life.
Nikki is survived by many loved family members in Washington, Michigan & Texas, including: her grandparents, Hortencia Lopez, Jody Jones, Raymond Fink, and Marian Bowman; her mom and stepfather, Yvonne & Gary Bowman; her dad and stepmother, Eric Fink and Lesa Johnson and stepbrother, Nick Johnson; her sister, dearest friend and confidant, Loni Fink, and her fiancé Darren Jameson; her sweetheart and best friend, Adam D’Errico; and her beloved son, Xander Combs.
We will always remember Nikki’s quick laughter, terrific funny faces and sense of humor, her love of music and wicked toe wrestling.
Recently, Nikki wrote: “I really know just how much each small moment is worth and I treasure everyone.”
We who shared life with Nikki, who loved her and were loved by her in turn, bear witness to her remarkable life. Our lives have been changed, made sweeter and richer by her presence.
A graveside ceremony will take place Sat., Oct. 23, at 3 p.m. at St. Francis Cemetery on San Juan Island, followed by an Open House Celebration of Life at the Rumor Mill, at 4 pm. Bring a dish to pass, photos to share and treasured memories of Nikki. In lieu of flowers please consider a tax-deductible donation to Nikki’s Medical Fund, New Horizons Foundation, 4570 Hilton Parkway, Suite 203 Colorado Springs, CO 80907, note on the memo line: Nikki Fink Medical Fund. Arrangements are in the care of Evans Funeral Chapel & Crematory, Inc., Anacortes, Wash., and the San Juan Islands. To share memories of Nikki, please sign the online guest register at www.evanschapel.com.
– Family of Nikki Fink
