Nan was born in Bellingham, Washington, to Ellen Todd and Hugh McMurry. She spent most of her childhood on a farm outside of Nooksack, Washington, growing up with her younger brothers Tim, Andy, and Steve, and sister Suzanne. Nan married Robert (Manny) Hanowell at a young age and they soon had three children: Elaine, Ray, and Dale.
Nan had a strong independent streak along with a drive for peace and justice. She went back to school, graduating first with her BA and then her master’s in social work from the University of Washington. She divorced in 1983. Nan worked many years for peace and justice organizations, spending most of her time with the Fellowship of Reconciliation. Nan also was an activist and was arrested several times for peacefully protesting the proliferation of nuclear weapons. She received the Paul Beeson Peace Award from Washington Physicians for Social Responsibility in 1999.
Nan’s other main passions included family and travel. She enjoyed her grandchildren: Colin Hanowell, Shane Hanowell, and Jasper Hanowell, and her great-grandchild, Leia Hanowell. Nan visited a wide range of countries, many with her daughter Elaine. Two of her favorite trips were to attend United Nations World Conferences on Women; the first in Copenhagen, Denmark, in 1980 and the second in Beijing, China, in 1995.
Nan enjoyed a 14-year partnership with Dan Morris until his passing in 2021. Nan was a devout Buddhist, living a long life serving her community and fellow life-travelers. She is greatly missed.
May her life’s work for peace inspire us in these difficult times.
A memorial get-together will be scheduled for some time in April.
