Nancy Bell Evans

March 21, 1933 – January 26, 2024

Nancy Evans, former First Lady of Washington, died on January 26 from a fourth recurrence of breast cancer.  Her death is a loss to so many people in our state, but a tremendous loss for our Cancer Lifeline community.  She has been involved in Cancer Lifeline in one way or another since 1981.

Nancy Evans and Barbara Frederick (Cancer Lifeline’s beloved Executive Director of 23 years) and their husbands, met in a Bridge Club in 1967.  When Barbara became Cancer Lifeline’s Executive Director in 1981, Nancy was her good friend and wise counsel.

Nancy was the Founder and Chair of the Friends of Cancer Lifeline Committee from 1989.  This group provided support and fundraising help to Cancer Lifeline for many years.  They were instrumental in raising funds for the building Cancer Lifeline purchased and settled into in 1999.  When Barbara retired from Cancer Lifeline in 2005, the Friends of Cancer Lifeline initiated a major fundraising effort, in honor of Barbara, to ensure Cancer Lifeline’s future financial success.

The Friends of Cancer Lifeline was re-established in 2012 as the Cancer Lifeline Advisory Board.   Nancy continued with her commitment to Cancer Lifeline by being an honorary but active member of the Advisory Board until her death.  She seldom missed a meeting, a fundraising luncheon or breakfast, or a Resources for Hope event raising money for the Patient Financial Assistance Fund. She was a treasured colleague, trusted advisor, and dear friend to all of us. She showed up, did what she said she would do, and offered thoughtful suggestions.  She asked the difficult questions that made us all stronger.

Nancy was honored to receive the Caregiver of the Year Award in 2007, and the Barbara Frederick Award from Cancer Lifeline in 2016.

All of us at Cancer Lifeline will miss Nancy’s wisdom, laughter and deep friendship.  Members of the Advisory Board described her as one of a kind, feisty, remarkable, a treasured colleague, a shining light and beautiful spirit.  We are so thankful her life of service included Cancer Lifeline.  Nancy was a wonderful human and was so dear to Cancer Lifeline and those of us who were fortunate to get to work with her.

It’s truly special that her family chose Cancer Lifeline as one of the options for memorial donations.  That was Nancy…a loyal and true friend to the end.

Lynn Behar

Chair, Cancer Lifeline Advisory Board