Nellie Ann Adams passed away in the comfort of her home on April 6, 2024, in Amanda Park, Washington. She was born in Paradise, California on Nov. 27, 1953, to Henry and Nellie Mae (Gilroy) Stankwitz.
A loyal daughter, mother, sister, and aunt.
She was raised in the lower Yakima Valley where she attended and graduated high school from White Swan. She was a remarkable athlete and held high school records in track for decades.
She also attended Yaima Valley Community College until she moved from the area to Amanda Park, Washington in 1977, where she met and married Norman Adams and started her family. She lived out the rest of her days in Amanda Park for 47 years.
Nellie was exceptional at crafts and always had at least one project going, she was an amazing artist, she was Girl Scout leader, a member of Lions club and coordinated, organized and participated in many community events. She was often asked to design and set up for prom and homecoming picture backdrops. She was recognized in the community as the person to get things done. Her birthday parties for her children and grandchildren were the envy of the community. There wasn’t anything she could not do. Nellie occasionally worked outside the home as well as a ridge sawyer or packer in the local mills, and a waitress at the Quinault lodge.
Additionally, Nellie Ann enjoyed stargazing, sewing, cooking, camping, fishing, sea glassing, “hippie” music from the ’60s-’70s, DIY projects, taking care and spending time with her loved ones, especially picnics and family gatherings at the lake. She enjoyed planting flowers and took pride in her vegetable garden, she was the neighborhood mother where many children were often found jumping on the trampoline, running through the sprinkler, or doing crafts directed by her and of course had treats to snack on. The neighborhood children were never bored if “Aunt Nellie” was home.
Nellie Ann is survived by her eight children, Doria and (Victor) Guzman of Central Park, Washington, Victor Adams of Joyce, Washington, Norman Zebulen Adams of Amanda Park, Washington, Mathew and (Danielle) Adams of Ocean Shores, Washington, Shawnna Boer, Josh Butler of Aberdeen, Washington, Donica and (Elliot) Kugler of Lacy, Melonie Adams of Van Nuys, California and Blain Adams of Aberdeen; two sisters Bridgett Allen of Moclips, Washington and Cheryl and (Rick) Racine of Maysville, Washington; also, devoted family friend Steve McKown of Amanda Park, Washington. She is additionally survived by 12 grandchildren whom she adored (dearly loved), six nieces and four nephews.
Nellie Ann is preceded in death by grandson, Wyatt Shawnn Butler; grandparents, Leo and Glendora Gilroy of Brownstown, Washington; father, Henry Stankwitz of California; mother, Nellie Mae Stankwitz of Amanda Park, Washington; brothers, Michael Stankwitz of Amanda Park and Mitchell Stankwitz of Neilton; uncles, John Gilroy of Amanda Park and Pat Gilroy of Granger, Washington and an aunt Charlotte Sanchez of Klickitat, Washington.
The service will be held at 2 p.m. on April 28, 2024, at Quinault Valley Chapel located at 31 Burn Road, Neilton, Washington. The burial will take place at 1 p.m. on April 30, 2024, at Quinault Valley Cemetery, overlooking the beautiful Lake Quinault in Quinault, Washington, 427 South Shore Road.
Funeral arrangements are being made by Coleman mortuary of Hoquiam.
Please take a few moments to record your thoughts for the family by signing the online register at www.colemanmortuary.net
