Nitaya Elsea, born in 1955 in Bangkok, Thailand, passed away on September 9, 2017 at Swedish Medical Center from lung cancer. Nitaya arrived in the United States in the 1970’s.  She married George Elsea in 1973 and lived in the Seattle area until her death.

Nitaya often told stories of her early experiences in the United States. They reflect many of the joys and challenges of being Asian American during the 70s and 80s. Nitaya traveled extensively with George throughout Asia and the Middle East. She enjoyed being a housewife.

Her husband George—a United States Air Force Veteran—preceded her in death 10 years ago.  Nitaya is survived by her son, Bryan Elsea of Seattle, Washington.

Services were held in Nitaya's honor on September 25, 2017 at Tahoma National Cemetery.

Memorials can be made to the American Lung Association at http://www.lung.org/

Published in the Westside Seattle, September 29, 2017.