Nancy Rutte Van Tyne

April 7, 1942 – September 4, 2024

Dare to be different:

It’s a saying you see about how one needs to check themselves, take a moment to be a better person: be kinder, be curious, be humble, ask for help, volunteer to help, take time to connect to people, play, laugh…be a better human.

Nancy didn’t have to dare to be different. She was different.  If I were to tell Mom to ‘dare to be different,’ she would have looked at me quizzically and asked, “How so?”  Mom’s values were what they should be.  Her priority was to be a good human being. Be kind to people.  Be interested in people. Always be open to laughing. Always be open to playing.

“Talking badly about people is against my religion” she used to say. That was her religion.

Nancy was born in Fort Lewis (Tacoma), Washington in 1942.

A proud ‘army brat’, Nancy and her family lived in several different countries and states before she graduated high school: Missoula, MT; Luzon, The Philippines; Fort Knox, KY; Linz, Austria; Niagara, NY; Delafield, WI, and Turkey. From these experiences, Nancy developed a love and curiosity for other cultures and their people, and an ability to land in a new place and make friends all her life (and career).

Nancy’s parents settled in Spokane, WA after she graduated high school and she attended Fort Wright Women’s College.

Her friend from Fort Wright, Eileen, set her up with her brother Gordon, who was visiting from Las Vegas.

Nancy and Gordon became engaged long distance, and Nancy began studies at the Montessori Internationale in Washington DC.

Married in 1964, Nancy and Gordon moved to Portland, Oregon. Soon after, they had 2 children, Frank and Eileen.

In 1972-1973, living in Lake Oswego, the Van Tynes decided to try communal living, moving to Amboy Washington with another family, the Overmans. The two families bought 22 acres and built small houses and lived communally for 12 years. This time was a highlight for Nancy, in the connections she made, the community they all created in a beautiful natural setting near  Mount St Helens. So many Christmases, Easters, Halloween parties and 4th of July memories with friends and family. During this time, Nancy returned to finish her Bachelors’ degree at University of Portland, and began to teach Montessori.

In 1984, the commune families moved in different directions, and the commune dissolved. In 1987-1988, Nancy and Gordon divorced.

In 1990, Nancy decided to teach English in Japan. She knew one person and didn’t know Japanese, but moved to Matsumoto, Japan for 4 years. While in Japan, she lived in the Japanese Alps, worked and made friends, and began to pursue her master’s degree and focus on teaching English as a Second Language.

In 1994, Nancy moved to Spokane, WA to be close to her elderly father Joe, and to finish her master’s degree.  While in Spokane, Nancy underwent treatment for cancer. After completing treatment, she worked as a Qi Gong Instructor, an ESL Instructor, and an International Student Coordinator, and graduated with her master’s degree.

In 2002, Nancy moved back to Portland to be closer to her granddaughters, Kathryn and Scarlett, who she loved and spoiled. In Portland, Nancy built community and friendships throughout her neighborhood, and the city.

Throughout her life, Nancy has been very spiritual and devoted to her faith, beginning with the Catholic Church growing up, as a parishioner of St. Andrew’s Catholic Church in Portland, then  as a devotee of Yogananda, and a member of SRF church in Portland.

Nancy was a vocal supporter and volunteer for progressive Democrat politicians, a lover of people, a nature enthusiast, an adventurous and enthusiastic mom, and a doting and loving ’nana’.

Nancy began to exhibit and notice signs of dementia in 2015, and moved to memory care in 2019. Nancy was well cared for by the caregivers at Tabor Crest and through Providence Elderplace. Nancy was gracious, funny, grateful and cheerful until the end, and is mourned by her family – brother Joe, sister in law Carol, son Frank, daughter Eileen (Austin), daughter in law Sally, and granddaughters Scarlett and Kathryn, grandsons Monty and Jackson, and her communal children David Overman and Sarah Overman.

She is preceded by her mother Margaret, and her father Roland (Joe).