May 1930 – December 2023

MERCER ISLAND, WA – Nancy Axell, resident of Covenant Living on Mercer Island, Washington, passed away at the age of 93 in December 2023, after a long life full of adventure, art, and family love.

Born in 1930 to Leslie Nevada Fairweather and Earl Richard Newton in Seattle, WA, she attended Hawthorne School, John Muir Grade School, and Franklin High School. She started her lifelong love of theater and art with dancing and painting lessons. Her early activities in student government led to subsequent leadership roles with the Parent Teacher Association and Action for Children’s TV. After graduation, she continued her educational journey at the University of Washington where she received her Bachelor of Science degree in Home Economics and minored in Art. There she met and married James F. Covington and they went on to have four children: Cathy, Darci, Jim, and Kelly.

While raising her children, Nancy won the titles of Mrs. Capitol Hill and Mrs. Washington. She also found the time to get her Elementary Teaching Certificate at Bellevue Community College and began teaching preschool on Mercer Island. Later, while teaching kindergarten at Mercer View Elementary School, she obtained her master’s degree in education at Central Washington University.

Meeting and marrying Dick Axell in 1978 unfolded a new chapter in their lives that included a combined family of seven kids, domestic travel to all 50 states and many national parks as well as international travel to Europe and Scandinavia. Following Dick’s retirement, they pursued enjoyment of their second home at Utsalady Bay on Camano Island as well as travel to their home in Estes Park, CO. Their love of travel, entertaining mutual friends, kids and grandkids, and art sustained their enduring love for an incredible 39 years.

Nancy was well-known in the Northwest watercolor painting world for her many paintings as well as her years of board service and leadership roles with the Northwest Watercolor Society, Women Painters of Washington, Mercer Island Visual Arts League, and the Lighthouse Gallery at Covenant Living. She was also a passionate advocate of healthy eating and recycling. Nancy was also well-known for clever poems, limericks, and practical jokes.

Nancy leaves behind a legacy of zest for life, love, and laughter. She was preceded in death by her husband Dick and son Jim. She is survived by her loving daughters; Cathy Fliris (Mike), Darci Swanson (Bob), and Kelly Togesen (Hans); grandsons Brendan Fliris (Judy) and Jesse Fliris (Renee); granddaughter Gretchen Swanson; and great-grandchildren Kash, Scarlett, Liana, and William. She is also remembered fondly by the Dick’s children; Karen Axell (Paul), Kris Axell (Cheryl) and Karla Axell (Chuck) and their three children and five grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made to Planned Parenthood or Red Cross, honoring Nancy’s spirit of love, compassion, and generosity. Services will be held on Mercer Island in May 2024. Correspondence: C Fliris, 746 Malabar DR, Camano Island, WA 98282.