On Monday, December 12, 2022, Nancy Carolyn Cruz-Shoemake, loving wife, Mother, and Grandmother, passed away peacefully at home in Richland at the age of 75. 

Nancy was born December 19th, 1946 at Kadlec Hospital in Richland, WA. to Joseph, and Ruth (Blazon) Cruz. She went on to graduate from Columbia High School in Richland in 1966 After graduating, Nancy went to Chicago, IL for a summer to work at The Cookie Jar, a bakery her Uncle Bob and Aunt Roberta Fleck owned. She continued to build on her strong work ethic that summer, then went to Sicily, Italy where her sister had begun a teaching job at the Sigonella Naval Air Station. She got a job at Sigonella and lived with her sister while taking in the culture of Sicily. While working at Sigonella, she caught the eye of a Sailor who seemed to make a point of putting himself in her presence any chance he could. The Sailor, believing Nancy was Sicilian, greeted her regularly with a “Ciao Bella!”. Eventually, Nancy worked up the courage to respond to the Sailor and they soon agreed to a first date, which was at a small Italian restaurant at the base of Mount Etna. The Sailor, of course, was her soon to be husband, Billy Shoemake, Sr., and the two built an amazing life together that has lasted over 55 years. They were engaged in Sicily, and once Bill served his military term, they came back to the United States to marry at Christ the King Parish in Richland, WA. The newlyweds returned to Bill’s home state of Missouri, where he found work in St. Louis, MO as a machinist at Anheuser-Busch. They raised 3 children, Billy Jr., Wendy (Chuck) White, and Barry. In 1981, the decision was made to move the family to Richland, WA where the kids completed their education, and Bill & Nancy both forged 30+ year careers at Hanford before retiring to a life of camping, gardening, and spending time with family & friends. 

Family was everything to Nancy, and she loved her husband and children without question. However, when grandchildren came into Nancy’s life beginning in 1990, her love and pride found new ways to grow. From the eldest, Kelsey White, to Joseph (Shannon) White, to the youngest, Brady White, she was thrilled to be a part of every game, recital, play, etc. If any of her grandchildren were involved, she wanted to be a part of it. These last months Nancy was blessed to witness the marriage of her eldest grandson, Joseph White to Shannon (Wiese) White, in Leavenworth, WA. Nancy’s love and dedication to family also made her an amazing friend, and many were blessed to experience friendship with her. Whether they be neighbors, co-workers, or friends from any other number of connections, if you were a friend to her, you know what true friendship is all about. Special thanks to all the friends who went out of their way to stop in and visit Nancy these past several months. She was thrilled with every visit and it was great for her to reconnect with so many folks she hadn’t seen in so long. 

Nancy was preceded in death by her parents, Joseph and Ruth Cruz, and her sister, Sandra. She leaves her husband of 55 years, Billy Sr.; her 3 children, Billy Jr., and Wendy (Chuck) White of Richland, and Barry of Pasco. Three grandchildren, Kelsey White of Kennewick, Joseph (Shannon) White of Seattle, and Brady White of Richland. She also leaves her sister Pat Hodges of Richland, and Richard Cruz of Federal Way. 

Graveside Inurnment will be held at Sunset Gardens in Richland, WA on April 14th, 2023 at 11:00am.