Nancy Lynn Woodley Hoben
Nancy Lynn Woodley Hoben, longtime resident of Renton and Auburn, and retired school teacher, passed away Saturday, January 11, 2014 at Auburn Regional Medical Center of complications following cardiac arrest. Nancy was 77 years old.
Born April 1, 1936 in El Paso, Texas to Arthur Hal Woodley and Dorothy Plumbley Woodley, Nancy was one of five children and the eldest of three daughters. Nancy grew up in the El Paso area, graduating from Ysleta High School in 1954.
In the spring of 1956, Nancy met Ken Hoben, a young soldier stationed at nearby Fort Bliss, beginning a love affair that would last throughout their lifetimes. The two were married later that year, and together they pursued both education and adventure throughout the United States. Nancy graduated from Texas Western College (now the University of Texas – El Paso) in 1957, and received her Master of Education degree from UTEP in 1965. The couple lived in El Paso; Wellesley, Massachusetts; Las Cruces, New Mexico; and Eugene, Oregon, before settling in the Puget Sound region in 1972.
Nancy began teaching public school in El Paso, and also taught in Wellesley and Las Cruces, before taking a position with the Kent School District in 1973. Throughout her career she primarily taught first grade, with teaching assignments at Park Orchard Elementary, Spring Glen Elementary, and Ridgewood Elementary schools, receiving both an Outstanding Service Award from the Kent PTA Council, and the Teacher of the Year Award from the Kent School District. She retired in 1996, having taught more than 1,000 children to read during the course of her teaching career.
Throughout her life, Nancy was actively involved in organizations focused on enhancing the quality of her community. The Boy Scouts of America awarded Nancy the Silver Beaver Award in 1981 for outstanding volunteer service. Nancy was active in Allied Arts of Renton, the Renton Annual Art Show, Piazza Renton, and the Renton Farmers Market. She received Renton’s Outstanding Citizen recognition in 2002 for service to the community, and was awarded the Renton Municipal Arts Commission Bravo Award in 2006 for her support of the arts in Renton.
As a committed follower of Christ, Nancy was active in church communities throughout her lifetime, most recently at Fairwood United Methodist Church in Renton, Renton First United Methodist Church, and Auburn First United Methodist Church.
Nancy enjoyed reading, cooking, traveling, and listening to Dixieland Jazz, and treasured the company of her family and friends.
Nancy is survived by her loving husband of 57 years, Ken Hoben; her sister, Sally Jones of Bryan, Texas; her son and daughter-in-law, Mark and MaryAnne Hoben of Maple Valley, Washington; her daughter and son-in-law, Jennifer and Charles Russo of Auburn, Washington; her three dear grandchildren, Austin, Jack and Tyler; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
Memorial services will be held February 8, 2014 at 1 pm at Auburn First United Methodist Church, 100 N St. SE, Auburn, Washington. In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to Wesley Homes Foundation, Lea Hill Capital Fund, in support of a health clinic being built to support residents and the neighboring community. Remembrances can also be made to the charity of your choice.
