Nina Mary Morgan, 91, a long-time Hoquiam resident and World War II English war bride, died Wednesday morning, June 10, 2015 at Grays Harbor Health & Rehab Center in Aberdeen.
Nina was born in Braintree, Essex Co., England on January 8, 1924 to Leonard Charles and Lucy L. (Hoy) Lewis. After an idyllic childhood in a close family, war broke out when she was only 15 years old. She survived numerous bombing attacks and a terrifying strafing of the factory where she worked weaving fabric to make parachutes for the English war effort until the war’s end. It was during this time that she met Henry, a U.S. Army soldier who caught her eye. He asked her out the day they met but didn’t show up for the date. The next day Henry arrived on a borrowed bicycle and apologized because he was sent out on maneuvers and couldn’t call to postpone the date. On August 4th, 1945, Nina married Henry J. Morgan in Braintree, England.
In 1946, Nina sailed on a steamer to New York City and then traveled by train across the U.S. to Olympia where Henry picked up his bride. They moved to their new home in Hoquiam in 1947, where they lived the American middle class dream -- husband, wife, and two children. After 58 years of marriage, Henry died on November 4, 2003.
Nina was a member of the English Girls Club from its founding in Aberdeen in 1946 until its last meeting in 2008. She was an avid bowler for forty years and enjoyed ball room dancing with her husband and good friends for thirty years. Nina was an avid reader of mystery novels. She was an excellent seamstress and knitter and had a gift for growing plants both in and out of doors. She loved spending time with all her family. A particular highlight was the years 1973 to 2000 when Nina, Henry and her sisters and brothers-in-law enjoyed yearly visits together.
Nina is survived by her son Michael G. (Diana) Morgan of Toledo, WA and her daughter, Christine A. (Brian) Peck of Aberdeen; two sisters: Margery Rayner and Dorothy Chatters both of Braintree, England; five grandchildren: John Henry (Emily) Morgan, Katie (Steven Fucile) Morgan, Aaron (Fiancé Haemi Chang) Peck, Adam Peck and Nathan Peck; one great granddaughter, Helen Louise Morgan; two nephews, one niece, two great nieces and one great nephew.
Her funeral will be held at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church in Aberdeen on Friday, June 19, 2015 at 11:00 AM, followed by a reception in the parish hall. A graveside service will take place at 2:00 PM at Fern Hill Cemetery, Aberdeen, WA

A message of condolence or of a memory can be sent to the family at www.fernhillfuneral.com.

Memorial donations may be made to St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, 400 East 1st Street, Aberdeen, WA 98520.

Arrangements are entrusted to Fern Hill Funeral Home in Aberdeen.

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