Our beloved Nancy Marie died at Mad River Hospital in the early morning of March 1, 2026. Her son Gabe was with her. Numerous friends and caregivers had visited Nancy that day to say farewell to this beautiful, courageous and compassionate woman. Her Buddhist faith sustained her through the difficult years of decline due to Parkinson’s with Lewy Bodies.

Nancy had Midwest family roots. She was born in a small town in western Kansas, Wathena, located near St. Joseph Missouri. Nancy was born into a large working class Catholic family. She was the daughter of Kenneth and Thelma Hewins. Nancy was the third child of nine children. She attended a parochial grade school in Wathena and graduated from Wathena High School in1966. She then attended the local community college where she met her husband Chris Miller. They were married in 1968 and later that year they had their first and only child, Gabriel (Gabe) Matthias Miller.

A job opportunity for Chris prompted the young family to move to Weaverville in 1968. Nancy and Chris divorced and Nancy and Gabe moved to Humboldt County, where Nancy enrolled at Humboldt State University, graduating with a B.A. degree in Psychology in 1974. It was during this time Nancy formally changed her last name to Marie.

In Arcata Nancy discovered Buddhism, as well as a wonderful place to raise Gabe. She became active in a local Buddhist sangha and developed a dedicated meditation practice that served her for the rest of her life. As Nancy deepened her spiritual life and commitment to Buddhism she decided to take the next step of her education. In 1980 Nancy and Gabe moved to Boulder, Colorado where Nancy enrolled in the Naropa Institute (now Naropa University) and earned a master’s degree in counseling and psychology.

Nancy and Gabe moved back to Arcata and Nancy began her career as a counselor/therapist. One of her interests and unique offerings was women’s gatherings, workshops and retreats. She continued to offer these unique opportunities to women for 10-15 years, building a solid reputation within the community. Nancy was an exceptional therapist due to her deep and empathetic listening skills. She not only used this valuable skill with her patients but also with her friends and family. Intense, deep listening was a gift she gave to us all.

Nancy had a special love for all animals and especially dogs. She fed her deep love of pets by caring for friends’ pets. Her other hobbies were camping and hiking in the great outdoors of Northern California and the west. She enjoyed many camping trips and hikes with sister Peggy, son Gabe, and friends Diane and Tom as well as others.

Many thanks are due to the caring and attentive staff of the PACE program for helping Nancy stay in her home at Plaza Point in Arcata for as long as she was able. Thanks to the memory care staff at Renaissance of Timber Ridge who supported Nancy in her last months. Donations in her name can be made to the Companion Animal Foundation or to the animal welfare organization of your choice. Donations can also be made to Food for People.

A celebration of life will be held on Nancy’s 79th birthdate, September 27, 2026, at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship on Jacoby Creek Road in Bayside, at 2 p.m.

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The obituary above was submitted on behalf of Nancy Marie’s family. The Lost Coast Outpost runs obituaries of Humboldt County residents at no charge. See guidelines here. Email news@lostcoastoutpost.com.