Nancy Louise Vaillancour

Nancy Louise Hansen Vaillancour, a long-time resident of the Portland area, died Wednesday the 6th of July, after 3 1/2 months of hospice care at home. She battled COPD for 20 years. Born in 1931 in Portland, Oregon, Nancy grew up in Ladd’s Addition before moving to a home on the Columbia River, where she finished her primary education. Life on the river was full of adventures, including swimming, sailing, and music. She was an accomplished sailor, winning many races with her brothers and sister. She went to Oregon State College, majoring in Business and minoring in Secretarial Science. Nancy began working at NABISCO as the sales manager’s secretary, where she soon met her future husband, Bernie, at a company picnic. Bernie found reasons to go by Nancy’s office just to flirt with her. They quickly became an item. While her parents moved to Bellingham, Washington, Nancy stayed in the 20-room river house by herself. She practiced her cooking skills on her future husband, at times causing quite a scandal with the neighbors. They were married in 1953, raising three daughters, two of whom were twins. She often commented that it was like raising triplets! Nancy was a homemaker, but was also an accomplished seamstress and ran a business out of her home sewing for customers. She made many things for her family and friends, including rally outfits, wedding dresses and quilts. Nancy and Bernie enjoyed many things together; gardening, traveling domestically and abroad, hiking, but most importantly their grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Nancy really took pride in her role as the matriarch of the family. She will be greatly missed. Because of the amazing support from Adventist Hospice these past 4 months, something so painful became a blessing. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Adventist Hospice via Joshua Barnes @ 5835 NE 122nd Avenue, Suite 135; Portland, Oregon 97230; 503-251-6192.Charitable donations may be made to: Adventist Health/Home Care & Hospice Services 5835 NE 122nd Avenue, Suite 135, Portland OR 97230 Tel: 1-503-251-6192 Donations can be made via Joshua Barnes Service Information