Nancy Arkava

4/13/1935 - 9/30/2024

Posted

Nancy Arkava was born to Fredrick and Ruth Dodd in Saginaw, Michigan, on April 13, 1935. She died in her beloved community of Port Townsend, WA on September 30, 2024.  The youngest of three children, Nancy enjoyed a close relationship with her brothers Fred and Donald. 

Nancy completed her master's in social work at UC Berkeley in 1963. She was a lifelong learner and took many roles in the service of others, finishing her career as an educator and writer.

Nancy was pragmatic and straightforward, a quality that fostered trust and clarity in her relationships. A mother to Laura Carlton, Nancy became stepmother to Linda and Diane Arkava when she married Morton Arkava in the late 1980s.  She was a loved grandmother to Hazel and Irene Pemberton, as well as Thomas and Sara Odenthal. She was an aunt to Katherine Stubbs, Emily Stubbs, and Christina Stubbs.  

Nancy and Mort enjoyed many years wandering the trails of western Montana before they moved to Port Townsend in 2004. Nancy loved walking on the trail and running into friends, both human and canine. 

In accordance with her wishes, Nancy lived in her own home.  She was supported by her friends, neighbors, and family. Thank you to Flavio and Jessica Parfrey for being the very best neighbors and so much more. Thank you to Jason Victor Serinos for his support and friendship.   Nancy is preceded in death by her parents, Fredrick and Ruth, her brothers, Donald and Fred, her daughter, Laura Carlton, and her husband, Morton Arkava.  

No public service is planned. Nancy’s ashes will be scattered in the mountains of Montana with her late husband. 

Think of Nancy as you enjoy walking in nature.