Nancy Kaye Delaney

Nancy died on November 22 in her lifelong home of Eureka. She was born November 17, 1950. She graduated from Eureka High School in 1968 and earned her undergraduate degree in Mathematics and Speech Communication from Humboldt State University in 1972, followed by a Masters in Speech Communication in 1973. She then attended Hastings Law School in San Francisco, where she met her husband, Walter. They settled back in Eureka where they were both highly respected attorneys and eventual partners at Mitchell Law Firm (then Mitchell, Dedekam and Angell). They were also attentive and adoring parents to their three daughters, Erin, Mary and Catherine. After Walter’s death in 1993, Nancy continued her parenting and law practice with equal fierceness and brilliance. She worked for more than 40 years altogether at Mitchell Law Firm, representing many individuals and entities in Humboldt County. Throughout this time, she deeply valued her decades-long friendship with colleague Kathy Radford.

Nancy was a singular person who made a lasting impression on all who knew her. Later in her life she developed a passion for woodworking, and she could often be found wielding her favorite power tools and offering to build all manner of creations for family, friends and coworkers.

She is preceded in death by her parents James F. Delaney and Billie J. Zink, stepfather Harvey L. Zink, brother John W. Zink, husband Walter J. Carter, and beloved aunt Jackie R. Grenfell. She is survived by her daughters Erin (Orly) Carter, Mary (Steve) Carter, and Catherine (Kodie) Boyer, her sister Kori Chase and nephew Shiloh Chase, her brother Shawn Delaney and niece and nephew Marie Delaney and Joe Delaney, her sister Karen Delaney Neves and niece Lauren Neves, cousin Connie Nielsen, cherished grandchildren Jonathan, Catherine, and Charlotte, and many other treasured brothers- and sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews and cousins.

Nancy was an incredibly loving and generous figure in so many people’s lives. We will miss her always. There will be a private family service in the coming days followed by a celebration of life (details pending) after the holidays. In lieu of flowers, those desiring to make a donation in memory of Nancy may do so to Eureka Rescue Mission, PO Box 76, Eureka, CA 95502.

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