Nancy Steel, age 72, died in the early morning hours of Monday, February 7, 2022, after her hard fight with cancer. She was preceded in death by her parents, Reginald T. Steel and Ruth Anne Hazzard James, and many others who loved her and whom she loved.

She is survived by her three amazing children: Jennifer Mickelson (husband Marty, and grandchildren Cameron, Tyler, and Hayden), Morgan DeFiglia, and Amanda DeFiglia.

Nancy was born on May 20, 1949, in Jackson Heights, NY and soon moved with her family to Douglaston, NY, where she grew up with her three sisters, Barbara, Martha, and Sarah. She attended PS 98, the local elementary school, JHS 67, and graduated from the Cathedral School of St. Mary, in Garden City, NY with the class of 1967.

During her teen years, she was recognized as an outstanding sailor in Little Neck Bay and other locations on Long Island Sound. She sailed her own boat, Tiger Lily, which was a Blue Jay design, in the summer and sailed in the winter (frostbiting) with friends. She also taught sailing and spent most of the summer on or near the water with her friends. She attended Bethany College in West Virginia and CW Post in Long Island, NY, and earned a degree in Social Work.

Nancy married Paul DeFiglia on June 14, 1975, in Babylon, NY but later divorced in 1981. She and Paul moved to Vashon Island, WA in 1978, where they fell in love with the Pacific Northwest. Besides caring for her own three children, she took care of countless others in her home Daycare: Rainbow’s End, and at her daughter’s preschool. She also volunteered at the local food bank, Granny’s Attic, and Fire Department. She worked as an EMT, 911 Dispatcher, and a teller at Bank of America where she touched many with her bright smile, kindness, and humor.

Nancy loved traveling to Mexico in the winter and took many trips to the Hawaiian Islands with her family. She enjoyed watching sunsets and sitting in the sun or on a lanai with a good mystery novel. She loved visiting the ocean, beachcombing, her pets, music, flamingos, playing games, bowling, and spending time in her own backyard, digging, planting, and harvesting. Her family meant everything to her, and her legacy of love and service continues through her children and grandchildren. Nancy will live on in the hearts of everyone who knew and loved her—she was truly a remarkable human being who made the world a better and brighter place! A memorial for Nancy will be held in the Spring, when the weather is warmer, the flowers are blooming and we can celebrate her beautiful life outdoors.

In Memory of Nancy Steel, you can make a donation to the Vashon Food Bank—either online https://www.vashonfoodbank.org/donate or send a check to: Vashon Food Bank PO Box 1205 Vashon, WA, 98070.