Nina L. Eng died peacefully on October 25, 2022, at the age of 91. She was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and friend. She will always be remembered as an intelligent, accomplished woman who had the character for being tenacious and achieving the many goals she set for herself. She loved her family dearly and always put them first.

Nina was born in Lewiston, Idaho in 1931. Her family moved to Walla Walla, Washington and settled on a farm. Her family had modest means and cultivated the land, and they had a close-knit bond. Nina was the youngest of seven children. From a young age, Nina was determined to be successful and lead a better lifestyle. She proceeded to Whitman College for one year then transferred to the University of Washington and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Home Economics in 1954. She was the only one of her siblings to graduate from college.

Nina met the love of her life, Kai H. Eng, at college and they married on July 31, 1955. As they started their life together, Nina taught Home Economics in Vancouver, Washington to support Kai while he attended the University of Oregon’s Dental School. After he finished dental school, they moved to Seattle where Kai started his dental practice and Nina taught Home Economics at Eckstein Middle School. Shortly after, they started a family and had two children, Duane and Diane. In 1967, they moved to Mercer Island and built a home to raise their family.

Nina’s drive to be successful led her to invest in real estate. She loved the challenge of this venture and continued to learn and invest throughout her lifetime. Nina also was involved in the community, which included PTA President at West Mercer Elementary, President of the Seattle Jade Guild (a Chinese Women’s Service Organization), and a board member of the American Heart and Lung Association.

Nina loved playing bridge, it was a social highlight in her life. She achieved the status of Life Master by playing duplicate bridge tournaments. In addition, Nina and Kai enjoyed bowling in a weekly bowling league.

Nina and Kai moved to Mercer Island’s Aljoya retirement community in 2013 when she was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s. She loved the Aljoya community and her weekly mahjong games with residents and her caregivers. Mahjong became an obsession in her later years of life. She played for countless hours with her family and friends.

Nina’s tenacity in life led her to share and enjoy her successes with loved ones. She loved traveling around the world, doting on her kids and grandkids, and spending time with her extended family. Nina is survived by her two children and four grandchildren. Her son Duane (Christine Kim) and his children, Derek and Lauren (Brendan Weber), and her daughter Diane (Jess Salisbury) and her two children, Jack and Sarah.

A Celebration of Life for Nina will be held on Saturday, December 17, 2022, at 10:30 am at Sunset Hills Memorial Park. Immediately following, a luncheon reception will be held at the Mercer Island Community Center.