Nancy Charlesworth Denny

Nancy Charlesworth Denny, a lifelong Vancouver, Washington resident, passed away peacefully on August 1, 2026, in the community she loved. She was 78 years old.

Born on November 29, 1947, Nancy was proud to call Vancouver home. With the exception of a brief time in Arizona, she spent her entire life in her beloved hometown-the "first" Vancouver, as she proudly called it.

Nancy believed in making a difference in the lives of others. Perhaps inspired by her favorite Little Golden Book, Nurse Nancy, she found her calling in nursing and became a registered nurse in 1967. Her career spanned 42 years and touched countless lives. She graduated from nursing programs at both Clark College and Washington State University and spent much of her career caring for critically ill patients in the intensive care units at Vancouver Memorial Hospital and Southwest Washington Medical Center/PeaceHealth.

Nancy was also a lifetime member of St. Luke's Episcopal Church, where she formed many cherished friendships and generously volunteered her time in ministry. Her faith and her community were important parts of her life.

Above all else, Nancy's family was her pride and joy. She was a devoted wife to Bob for 30 years, taking exceptional care of him during his prolonged illness. She was a loving mother, and took great pride in the blended family she and Bob raised together. She was a grandmother in every sense of the word-present, enthusiastic, loving, and always ready to cheer her grandchildren on. They could count on seeing Grammy at as many of their activities and events as she could possibly attend, proudly cheering the loudest from the sidelines and celebrating every accomplishment.

Nancy's friendships were another treasured part of her life. She was loyal, devoted, and deeply invested in the people she loved. Her many close friendships endured through the different stages and seasons of her life, a testament to the kind of friend she was.

Nancy leaves behind her children, David Denny, Rob Denny, Jason Surface (Amy), Shane Denny (Mary), and Lisa Surface Wilcox (Jack); her brother, Alan Charlesworth (Rita); along with nine grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her father, Alois Charlesworth; her mother, Helen Eddy Charlesworth; and her husband, Robert "Bob" Denny.

Nancy leaves behind a legacy of strength, joy, generosity, compassion, and love. Her life was defined not only by the many people she cared for as a nurse, but by the countless ways she cared for the people she loved. She will be remembered for her unwavering devotion to family, her fierce pride in her hometown, her generous heart, her infectious enthusiasm, and the many cherished memories she created along the way.

Her absence will be deeply felt, but the love she gave so freely will remain in the hearts of all who knew her.

Rest in peace, Nancy. You will be deeply missed and forever loved.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, November 28, 2026, at St. Luke's Episcopal Church, 426 E. Fourth Plain, Vancouver, WA 98663.
The service will be followed by a graveside service at Park Hill Cemetery, 5915 E. Mill Plain Blvd., Vancouver, WA 98661.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to:

St. Luke's Episcopal Church
https://stlukessanlucas.org/give/

Providence Hospice
https://give.providencefoundations.org/portland/hospice

WSU School of Nursing
https://nursing.wsu.edu/give/