Nelda Hastings, longtime Friday Harbor resident, passed away peacefully at her home on Thursday, February 4, 2016, following a brief illness.
Nelda was born on October 17, 1933, and was raised in Havre, Montana. After graduating high school, she attended a nurse training program at Montana Deaconess Hospital in Great Falls, Montana. There, she met Frank Hastings, who she later married on September 5, 1953.


The couple moved to Bozeman, Montana, to attend Montana State University. Nelda received her B.S. in nursing and became a licensed Registered Nurse. Throughout her distinguished career, she worked as an emergency room nurse, public health nurse, and school nurse. Nelda made many friends from all over the world while living in Montana, Arizona, Arkansas, Washington, Netherlands, and South Korea.
Nelda was an avid knitter, and she enjoyed sewing and pursuing her love of genealogy. She was an active volunteer, making layettes and health kits for Lutheran World Relief and volunteering for many San Juan Island organizations. She was an active member of the Lutheran Church of the San Juans. Nelda’s quiet dignity and grace will be missed by the many she touched.
Nelda is survived by her husband of 63 years, Frank Hastings; four children, Michael Hastings, Sue Kriebel, Beth Anderson, and Brian Hastings; six grandchildren; and three great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her first beloved granddaughter, Elizabeth.
A Memorial Celebration of Life service will be held at St. David’s Episcopal
Church, 760 Park St., Friday Harbor, WA on Saturday, February 27, 2016, at 1:00
p.m. Bright colors in celebration of Nelda’s life are encouraged. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorials be made to Nelda’s favorite charity, Lutheran World Relief, PO Box 17061, Baltimore, MD 21298-9832 http://lwr.org/donate/waystogive.

Family and friends are encouraged to share memories and condolences at
www.whidbeymemorial.com.