Nancy Lee Hobbs

Dr. Nancy Hobbs, a woman whose warmth, grace, and boundless generosity touched everyone fortunate enough to cross her path, passed away peacefully on June 14, 2026, at the age of 82, after a courageous battle with ALS. She faced her illness with the same quiet grace and strength she brought to everything in life, never once losing her warmth or her care for others.

Nancy is survived by her husband, James Hobbs; children Curtis Hobbs, Sandee and Gordon McAllister, and Stacee Hobbs; grandchildren Nickolas Hobbs Doyle, Madison & Blake Marlow, Jeena Bushnell & Cody Curtis, Dalton Hobbs, and Matthew & Sarah Bushnell; great-grandchildren Avery and Kaidence Hobbs Doyle, Evelyn Marlow, and Calen Bushnell; sister Donella Lucero; sister-in-law Kathy Briney, brother-in-law Larry Briney; sister-in-law Marilyn Hobbs; Nieces and Nephews Jon and Sandra Womelsdorff, Jacob and Elizabeth Womelsdorff, Carrie and Jerome Wimer, John Hobbs, and several great nieces and nephews.

Nancy was born on the Long Beach Peninsula and, apart from a brief time in Modesto, California, grew up in Long Beach and called it home. She found the love of her life, James Hobbs in 1961 and they married in 1963. Together they built their home and their life in Spokane, Washington, where Nancy would spend the next six decades pouring herself into her family, her faith, her students, and her community.

Nancy had a lifelong love of sports that began in her earliest years. Soccer was her favorite sport from childhood and she carried that spirit onto the tennis courts in her youth, where she proved to be quite the competitor. She was an avid Gonzaga basketball fan and rarely missed an opportunity to cheer on her team. She shared that same love with her own children, encouraging them to always be brave and to always try new things, never complaining about the endless practices, games, and journeys to cheer them on. She was simply there, as she always was for the people she loved.

Nancy earned her Master's degree from Eastern Washington University and later went on to complete her doctorate in Educational Leadership from Gonzaga University. She dedicated over thirty years to the art and purpose of teaching, a career that was as varied as it was devoted. Over the years she taught Physical Education, Science, Art, and many other subjects, beginning at the university level before bringing her gifts to the halls of Liberty High School, where generations of students came to know her as Doc Hobbs, a name spoken with unmistakable affection and respect. She had a rare ability to meet every student where they were and to believe in them, sometimes before they believed in themselves. Her influence extended beyond the classroom as well.  She served as Athletic Director and was a proud member of the Washington State (WIAA )Board, shaping athletics and student life at a broader level with the same dedication she brought to everything she touched.

Nancy was also a gifted author who alongside her sister Donella, co-authored several books chronicling the history and details of the Long Beach Peninsula, including its shipwrecks and preserving the stories of the place that shaped them both for generations to come. Nancy also wrote children's books, bringing the same warmth and care to young readers that she offered every student who sat before her in a classroom.

A faithful member of Manito Presbyterian Church since 1966, Nancy's faith was not a Sunday morning practice, it was the very foundation of how she lived. Within her church, she served as a Deacon, taught and developed curriculum for Sunday School, played an instrumental role in Vacation Bible School, and participated in Bible study and numerous ministry groups over the decades, giving generously of her time, her gifts, and her spirit. Whether setting up, teaching, organizing or simply lending a hand, Nancy was a fixture of church life, dependable, devoted and always there. Her faith extended well beyond the church walls as well. She taught sewing at Women's Hearth in downtown Spokane, offering not only skills but warmth and dignity to the women she served. She volunteered with Mission Community Outreach, faithfully giving her time and heart to those in need. Nancy was an active member of PEO for many years promoting educational opportunities to women. She also served on several mission trips traveling to Alaska, Guatemala and Colombia for missionary over twelve times serving those communities. These efforts carried forward by a faith that was never merely spoken but always, simply, lived.

At home, Nancy's hands were just as busy and just as loving. She found joy and artistry in embroidery, quilting, and all manner of crafts, each stitch a small act love. She cherished the friendships she built through her craft groups, including the Crafty Ladies and the Frayed Edges Quilt group, with some of the members among her dearest friends. Whether with dear friends or beloved family, Nancy's home was full of warmth and love.  She spoiled her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren with love and attention, and no one ever left her door without the offer of her chocolate chip cookies, given freely to anyone who happened by.

Those who knew Nancy Hobbs recognized they were in the presence of someone genuinely, extraordinarily kind. She did not simply practice kindness as a virtue, she embodied it effortlessly, meeting every person she encountered with grace and a generosity of spirit that left a mark on all of them.

A memorial service for Dr. Nancy Hobbs will be held on

Saturday, July 18, 2026 at 11:00 a.m.

at Manito Presbyterian Church, 401 E 30th Ave,Spokane, Washington.

All who knew and loved her are warmly welcome.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to one of the organizations Nancy devoted her time and heart to, and supported her and the family through her illness:

Mission Community Outreach Center (https://www.4mission.org/donate-funds/) 

Manito Presbyterian Church (https://www.manito.org/give) 

ALS Support Organization (https://alsso.org/fundraising)