Longtime islander Nancy Muller Friedrich, age 60, died June 24 at Swedish Medical Center, Seattle.

She was born Jan. 19, 1943 in San Francisco to Dr. Charles D. Muller and Esther (Cornwell) Muller.

After graduating from West Bremerton High School in 1961, she attended the University of Washington, graduating in 1965 with a bachelor’s degree in history.

In 1969, she completed her master’s degree in business and hospital administration at George Washington University in Washington D.C.

She served her residency at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia.

She married Paul A. Friedrich in February 1968.

For 12 years she was assistant administrator at Virginia Mason Hospital in Seattle, where she set up the first day care program for employees’ children, created home-like obstetrical services and invited nurse midwives to deliver babies at the hospital.

She was named one of 100 Seattle Newsmakers of Tomorrow by the Seattle Chamber of Commerce in 1978. In 1981, she was awarded a Crosby Fellowship from the American Hospital Association to study teenage health care among hospitals and community agencies.

In 1981, she established her own health care consulting firm. During the next 20 years she provided consulting services to hospitals and health care administrators throughout the United States.

In 1987 the New Zealand Institute of Health Administrators invited her to New Zealand to write a national plan for delivery of health services.

She was a fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives, conducting workshops to help other hospital executives — especially women — gain fellowship in the prestigious group.

Her professional skills in diplomacy carried into her personal life, and she gave freely of her time and hand-made gifts. She was an accomplished seamstress, gardener and interior decorator.

She was a 33-year resident of Bainbridge Island, enjoying both the rural lifestyle and views of the Seattle skyline from her several residences.

In the early 1990s, she worked with others to create the all-island City of Bainbridge Island.

“She was very visionary in recognizing the needs of the island, very generous with her time, efforts and ideas,” said former mayor Dwight Sutton. “She was a behind-the-scenes force to crystallize concerns and press people to move forward.”

In recent years she found pleasure in creating beadwork necklaces and other jewelry to sell at the Bainbridge Island Farmers Market. She served as market manager in 1999.

In 1987, she began running marathons, raising thousands of dollars for Providence Home Health Care and other charities over the next few years.

She is survived by her children, Jennifer Mary Friedrich and Michael Joseph Friedrich, both of Seattle. She is also survived by her mother, Esther Muller, Bremerton; two brothers and their spouses, Charles and Eileen Muller, Poulsbo, and Barrie and Jeri Muller, Bremerton; three sisters and their spouses, Donna Copley and Pete Simpson, Seabeck; and Pam and Roy Campbell and Liz and Ken Lauzen, Bremerton; and 25 nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her father, Charles D. Muller, M.D.

Family services will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Helpline House, 282 Knechtel Way, Bainbridge Island WA 98110, or Swedish Medical Center, P.O. Box 389672, Seattle WA 98138-9672.