Nancy Cook Halton

Nancy Peebles McMeans was born in Jonesboro, Arkansas to Clyde Edward McMeans and Minna Peebles Johnson McMeans on August 1, 1942. She died peacefully on June 19, 2024 in Anacortes, Washington from ocular melanoma.

Nancy lived in Jonesboro, then in North Little Rock. The McMeans family enjoyed summer trips camping at the Buffalo River State Park and hiking in the Ozarks. In 1957 the family moved to Amarillo, Texas where her father took a job with the Polk Street Methodist Church as the Director of Music. Nancy made lasting friends in Amarillo. After graduating from Amarillo High School, she attended Amarillo Junior College for her undergraduate studies. While there, she was selected President of her sorority. After graduating from Amarillo Junior College, Nancy continued her education at Texas Tech University, completing her BA in Social Work.

Nancy met Ray Cook at Texas Tech. They were married in 1964 and lived on the family farm in Floydada, Texas. Nancy began her career with the State of Texas in child welfare. They later moved to Ft. Worth where Nancy completed her Masters Degree in Social Work at UT Arlington. They then moved to Austin where Ray completed his PhD in English at the University of Texas, and Nancy worked developing child welfare policy for the state of Texas until retirement. In 1984 Ray was killed in a tragic automobile accident in Austin.

Nancy met Joe Halton at work in Austin and they were married in the fall of 1987. It was not long after their marriage that Joe and Nancy developed a mutual interest in birding. In 2001 they moved to Anacortes, Washington. Their many travels across the western US usually included a birding component. Nancy was especially fond of the Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge in New Mexico. During their retirement years the couple made five voyages with Linblad/National Geographic and Nancy made several trips to Hawaii and Europe. While in Anacortes, Nancy participated in Crones, a discussion group of women who have maintained close friendships for 20+ years. She was also a long time member of a women's book club. Nancy volunteered with Hospice and for many years volunteered with the Red Door Thrift Shop and supported many environmental and social causes.

Nancy was noted for her warmth and compassion for others. Wherever she lived she drew others into her circle and made many lifelong friends.

Nancy is survived by her husband, Joe Halton, of Anacortes, WA; two brothers (Clyde McMeans of Houston, TX and Jim McMeans of Oak Point, TX); a stepdaughter (Michelle Griffith of Gretna, NE); a goddaughter (Kathy Druian of Sherrills Ford, NC); and her beloved cat, Sugar.

The family expresses special thanks to Hospice of the Northwest and Lisa Halton, a sister-in-law and retired OR nurse who provided exemplary care during Nancy's final days.

A celebration of life to honor Nancy's passing will be held at a future date. In lieu of flowers please make donations to a charity of choice in remembrance of Nancy.