Nancy Arlene Aiken

On Saturday, March 28, 2015 at 12:53 a.m. at her home, Nancy Arlene Aiken was ushered by the angels into heaven, and is now at rest in Jesus’ arms.

Nancy was born Sept. 15, 1934, at home, to Arthur and Louise Springer in Raymond, Wash. She was the middle sister to Nada (Johnson) and Nadine (Egnew), and lived her young years in Raymond, Wash.

Nancy had many interests. Her strongest passion was dance, performing locally in ballet, tap, and Spanish dance productions and plays, in costumes often sewn by her mother. She graduated from Raymond High School in 1952. She then went on to study at Cornish in Seattle and Seattle University.

On Sept. 15, 1953, she married Ernest “Ernie” W. Aiken, having met in high school but courted through the years as Ernie pursued his Minor League baseball career.

The first home as a couple was in Port Angeles, Wash. They moved to Astoria in 1956 where in 1957, son Ken was born, and followed by daughters Anita in 1960, and Irene in 1961.

Nancy’s church home was Astoria’s First Baptist Church. As a member of more than 50 plus years, she taught Sunday school, vacation Bible school, and was church secretary. She would be fondly remembered as the “flower lady” lovingly picking, gathering and arranging the flowers — a skill she acquired having taken classes at Clatsop Community College and working locally at Erickson’s Floral in the mid- to late 1970s. She adorned the sanctuary prior to Sunday services.

Also surviving besides her husband and children are her grandchildren, Jason, Shareece, Sonova, Janina and Briana. She was preceded in death by her grandson, Stefan, in 2005. She will be missed by her family and friends greatly.

Funeral Services were held Tuesday, March 31, 2015, at 11 a.m. at the First Baptist Church of Astoria, followed by a reception. A graveside service followed at 2:30 p.m. at Greenwood Cemetery in Astoria.

Memorial contributions may be given to the First Baptist Church of Astoria.

Caldwell’s Luce-Layton Mortuary is in charge of arrangements. Please sign our online guest book at www.caldwellsmortuary.com