Natalie Naomi Phelps

WHEREAS, Natalie Naomi Phelps, a devoted educator, mother, and 1
internationally recognized advocate for cancer awareness and 2
research, passed away on November 10, 2025, on Bainbridge Island, 3
Washington, at the age of 43, following cancer-related complications; 4
and 5
WHEREAS, Natalie was raised in Washington state and graduated 6
from Lakeside High School, later earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in 7
history with a minor in studio art from Whitman College and a Master 8
of Arts in education from the University of North Carolina at Chapel 9
Hill, where she received a foreign language area studies fellowship 10
to study Arabic and Middle Eastern Studies; and 11
WHEREAS, Natalie dedicated her career to education and cultural 12
exchange, teaching in Jordan, Egypt, and Qatar before returning to 13
Washington to teach elementary students on Bainbridge Island, leaving 14
a lasting impact on students and colleagues across the world; and15
WHEREAS, In early 2020, shortly after the birth of her second 16
child, Natalie was diagnosed with stage IV colorectal cancer and 17
transformed her diagnosis into a mission to promote early detection, 18
expand awareness of early onset colorectal cancer, and advocate for 19
sustained funding for cancer research; and 20
WHEREAS, Natalie served as a co-chair of the Seattle Walk to End 21
Colon Cancer and on the Education Engagement Committee of the 22
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 2026-4693, by Representative Simmons
p. 1 HR 4693
Colorectal Cancer Care Alliance, and shared her message with national 1
and international audiences through major media outlets; and2
WHEREAS, Natalie is remembered for her deep love of family and 3
community, her wit and creativity, and her unwavering commitment to 4
improving the lives of others, and is survived by her husband, Dr. 5
Jeff Word; her two children; her brother, Gavin Phelps, and his 6
husband, Oscar; and many other dear family members and loved ones;7
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives 8
honor the life and legacy of Natalie Naomi Phelps and extend its 9
deepest sympathy to her family and all who mourn her passing.10
11
I hereby certify this to be a true and correct copy of12
Resolution 4693 adopted by the House of Representatives13
February 27, 2026 14
15
16
17
18
__________________________ 19
Bernard Dean, Chief Clerk 20
p. 2 HR 4693