Nancy Childrey Armell

May 7, 1932 - August 21, 2024

Kirkland, Washington - Nancy Childrey Armell, treasured mother, grandmother, wife, sister and friend passed away peacefully on August 21, 2024 in Kirkland, Washington surrounded by family. Her faith, kindness, grace, and compassion guided her life always.

Nancy Childrey was born on May 7, 1932 in Santa Barbara, California, the first of six children to Cora Hanrahan and John Howard Childrey. Nancy attended Notre Dame high school in San Jose, graduating with honors in 1949. Nancy began college in 1949 at San Jose State University. She joined the Kappa Alpha Theta sorority and was nominated to be a Theta Chi "Dream Girl". She met the very handsome, William "Bill" Armell, from Modesto, who was a member of the Alpha Tau Omega (ATO) fraternity and she was given his fraternity pin in 1952. Nancy graduated in 1953 Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Arts Degree with Honors in Social Service.

Nancy and Bill married on June 27, 1953 at St. Patrick's Church in San Jose, California. Following Bill's service at Fort Ord, they moved to San Jose, where Nancy worked at the Santa Clara County Department of Welfare. They welcomed their son, William Claiborne, in July of 1955 and returned to Modesto where their three other children (Stephanie, 1958; Robert, 1962; and Caroline, 1964) were born. In 1965, Nancy returned to work at the Stanislaus County Department of Welfare office and then in the Head Start program at Modesto City Schools. In 1967, Nancy completed the Master of Arts in Nursery Education at San Francisco State University.

In 1968, the family returned to Modesto where Nancy led the Head Start State Preschool and Child Care program. She spent 1969-1981 working in Administration for Modesto City Schools. Her passion for educating young children led her back to the classroom to teach kindergarten and first grade for thirteen years at John Muir Elementary School. She was remembered as a favorite teacher and an inspiring mentor.

Nancy and Bill's home on Amber Street in Modesto was a lively place with their family of six and often an extra friend who needed a meal, a place to stay or Nancy's loving guidance. Nancy maintained a very deep and rich spiritual life, serving as a Catechist at St. Joseph's Church in Modesto, and with the Covenant of Love arm of the Spirituality of the Holy Cross. Nancy loved the arts and cherished outings with family or friends to museums and area theater performances.

In her retirement years, Nancy enjoyed traveling with her daughters and visiting with her busy grandchildren. From Sonora to San Diego, Seattle to Hoboken, she was a fan favorite, sharing her love of reading, NFL football, family dinners and her beautiful Catholic faith.

Nancy moved to Kirkland, Washington in 2015 to be near her daughter, Stephanie. She enjoyed new friendships at Madison House Retirement Community and active participation in the Catholic community affiliated with Holy Family Parish.

Nancy was preceded in death by her husband, William Clarence and her son, William Claiborne. She is survived by her daughter, Stephanie Kendall, son, Robert (Helen) Armell, daughter, Caroline (Scott) Halstead; grandchildren, Nathanial Armell, Nicholas Armell, William Kendall, Alisa DeLizio, Matthew Armell, Dominic Armell, Olivia Halstead, Aidan Halstead, and great-grandson, Callen DeLizio. Her legacy will be one of gratitude, laughter, and meaningful conversations on any and every topic.

Donations can be sent to Sisters of the Cross of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, 1320 Maze Boulevard, Modesto, California 95351.

https://sistersofthecross.com.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Modesto Bee from Aug. 28 to Aug. 30, 2024.

Memories and Condolences
for Nancy Armell

5 Entries

September 4, 2024

In loving memory of a wonderful person. We will love you and miss you always.

Donna Blanas

August 31, 2024

It was my pleasure and honor to have worked with Nancy Armell as a co-kindergarten teacher at John Muir School. She was bright, articulate, witty and an educational professional of the highest esteem. May her memory be eternal.

Jim and Marye Martinez

August 30, 2024

To hear of the passing of Nancy Armell saddens my wife and myself. We both had the privilege of working with Nancy as fellow educators. She was a dedicated professional who mentored many on, the subject of Early education. She had an integrity constantly displayed. She also was a wonderful person to know who you couldn´t help but enjoy.
On a lighter side, she sure enjoyed her tuna for lunch. She had a great smile and so good to engage in conversation and appreciated the thinking that went behind the words she spoke.
We were gifted with being able to work and get to know her.
Jim Martinez
Nancy and I began working for Modesto City Schools in the late sixties and met at Shackelford. Later we shared space in Central Office and then became colleagues again at John Muir. What a privilege! Marye Opland Martinez

Mike and Anne Ijams

August 30, 2024

Our family offers our sincerest condolences to the extended Armell family. We met Nancy at John Muir Elementary in Modesto in the late 1980s. Both of our daughters were blessed to have Donna Blanas and Nancy as their kindergarten teachers, since they overlapped and shared part of the morning session. We would occasionally talk with Nancy after Mass at St. Joseph's. She always asked how our daughters were and what they were doing. Nancy was one of the kindest and gentlest people we have ever known. The world of young child education surely benefited immensely by her years of dedication and love.

Carol Varni

August 29, 2024

Had many fun memories visiting Nancy and her family for 4th of July gatherings. Always had great stories and good times. Condolences to the whole family.

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