Maria C. Humphrey of Federal Way died July 31.

She was born in New Mexico. In her early teens, she was removed from her Pueblo village, entered the Indian Boarding School and graduated in 1952 from the nursing school at Ganado Mission School in Ganado, Ariz. She and her husband moved to Seattle in 1957.

After earning a nursing degree from Seattle University, she was a nurse supervisor and program coordinator for the Seattle-King County and Tacoma-Pierce County health departments. As director of social-human services and nursing supervisor for the Seattle Indian Health Board, she helped open the first Seattle neo-natal/well baby clinic for urban Native Americans in the mid-1970s, which earned her national recognition. She also worked as a health specialist for Westinghouse Health Systems. She retired in 1997 as director of nursing services for the Portland Area Indian Health Services, covering three Northwest states.

In 1986, she received the Henry M. Jackson Award for her work in Native American health.

Survivors include her sons, John R. Humphrey III and Scott Humphrey, sisters Ruby Trujillo and Josie Montoya, and a brother, Felipe Lauriano. She was preceded in death by her husband of 50 years, John, in December 2004.

A memorial service and reception are scheduled for 3 p.m. Aug. 28 at St. Theresa’s Catholic Church, 3939 SW. 331st St.

The family suggests remembrances be made to American Diabetes Association, P.O. Box 1131, Fairfax, VA 22038-1131, or St. Theresa’s Catholic Church.