Remembering Nan Monk
Nancy Ann Monk, known affectionately as Nan, passed away peacefully on March 18, 2024, surrounded by her loved ones. She was born in New Britain, Connecticut, on June 13, 1952, the second of three children.
Nan’s upbringing was marked by her father’s career managing Sears stores, which led the family to various states along the Eastern seaboard. Nan set out in her early 20s in search of adventure and a life true to the person she wanted to become.
In 1974, Nan met her second husband, Dan Abraham, from Oregon. Together, they hitchhiked back to the Pacific Northwest, where Nan’s heart found its home amidst the breathtaking landscapes. Settling in Skagit and Island Counties in Washington, they raised two children on Fidalgo, Guemes, and Whidbey Islands.
Nan’s passion for healing bodywork led her to become a pioneer in massage therapy in Skagit Valley, where she established herself as one of the first licensed practitioners in the early 1980s.
In the mid-1990s, Nan transitioned into holistic counseling for cancer survivors, developing a unique curriculum with her third husband, Michael Mahaffey. They co-founded Cedar Springs Renewal Center in Sedro-Woolley, WA. Here, she intertwined her passions for physical and mental health, spiritual inquiry, preserving and restoring the natural world, and community building.
Nan’s curiosity about interior life was insatiable. She studied world myths and performed at storytelling events. She read Rumi, Rainier Maria Rilke, Mary Oliver, and David Whyte, enjoyed discussing daily readings by Richard Rohr, and wrote beautiful letters and poems to her loved ones.
Nan’s inquisitive mind, independent spirit, infectious laughter, and unwavering sense of wonder drew children and adults alike to her side. She reveled in spending time with her granddaughters, who adored her deeply.
Nan leaves behind a legacy of love and compassion. She is survived by her devoted husband, Michael Mahaffey, her children Bonnie Swift and Braden Abraham, and her cherished grandchildren, Jordan Raty, Danielle Raty, Sada Mahaffey, Ari Mahaffey, Phoenix Abraham, Rowan Evinger, and Winifred Rona Swift. Nan will be dearly missed by all who had the privilege of knowing her.