Nancy Bernice Henderson

NANCY BERNICE HENDERSON
December 20, 1931—October 2, 2012

Nancy Bernice Henderson passed away at her home surrounded by her family on October 2, 2012. She was born to William R. O’Rourke. Jr. and Alice Bernice Young O’Rourke on December 20, 1931. She lived in Walla Walla all of her life.

On September 6, 1949 she married Glenn I. Henderson. They were married for 52 years before he passed away in June of 2002. Nancy and Glenn had two children, Denice (Henderson) Lee and Steven Henderson. Denice and her husband James Lee gave Nancy two grandchildren, Richard Lee and Shannon (Lee) Montgomery. Steve and his wife Carolyn (Arbini) Henderson gave Nancy two grandchildren, Winter (Henderson) Lee and Ryan Henderson. Nancy has 7 great-grandchildren in whom she delighted.

Nancy and Louis Valiante married in Walla Walla on June 12, 2010. They had two wonderful years together dancing, traveling and visiting family.

Nancy worked for Pacific Northwest Bell for over 30 years before retiring in 1983. She was a member of Central Christian Church where she served as an elder and a trustee. She was also a member of Zonta, Telephone Pioneers, and the Dress-a-Living Doll program sponsored by the Salvation Army. Nancy was an expert seamstress, and a wonderful cook. Her specialty was pies. She was also a super organizer, music lover, Scrabble enthusiast and devoted wife, mother and sister. Nothing made her happier than being surrounded by family and friends.

Nancy is survived by her husband, Louis Valiante, her daughter, Denice Lee, her son, Steve Henderson, and two sisters, Alicia (O’Rourke) Nibler, and Marian (O’Rourke) Kaplan. She was preceded in death by her parents; her first husband, Glenn Henderson; a brother, William R. O’Rourke III; and a sister, Carol Harmon.

Services for Nancy will be held on Monday, October 8, 2012. A brief burial service will be at Mountain View Cemetery at 10 a.m. Following the burial, a memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. at Central Christian Church at 66 S. Palouse with Rev. Roland Shanks officiating. After the memorial service, friends and family are invited to a gathering in the church’s Fellowship Hall to share pie and memories.

Memorial contributions may be made to Salvation Army Dress-a-Living Doll or to Walla Walla Community Hospice through the Herring Groseclose Funeral Home, 315 W. Alder, Walla Walla, WA.