1927~2013
Elizabeth Goldthorpe Nance, 86, passed away on 25 April 2013 in Provo, Utah. She will always be remembered for her selfless service, unfailing commitment to family, and numerous acts of charity.
She was born on April 7, 1927 in Chicago, Illinois to Harold and Wanda Goldthorpe, the third child of four and the only girl. When she was a year old, her family moved to Salt Lake City where her father taught biochemistry at the University of Utah Medical School. She graduated from East High School where she earned a university scholarship. In June of 1948, she received her bachelor's degree from the University of Utah in Home Economics.
While studying at the U of U, she dated and eventually married one of the medical students, James Milton Brady Nance, on 30 August 1948 in the Salt Lake City Temple. She taught Home Economics at Murray High School for a year before starting her own family. After her husband completed his medical degree, the family moved to Springville where she has resided ever since. Her husband passed away in December of 1992.
Elizabeth loved the home-style warmth of Springville and felt blessed that she could raise her family in such a good environment. Besides taking care of her children, (she had seven babies in eight years) she was active in the LDS church serving in the Primary and Relief Society organizations. Her homemade sweet rolls and minestrone soup have blessed the homes of families too numerous to mention.
One of Elizabeth's talents revolved around her sewing needle. She stitched and bound many quilts and spent countless hours creating beautiful counted cross stitch pictures. Her life could be compared to Tabitha of the New Testament. She was a "woman full of good works and almsdeeds" and when Tabitha passed away, "the widows stood by ... weeping, and shewing the coats and garments which (she) made, while she was with them"(Acts 9:36-39). Elizabeth's quilts and counted cross stitch wall hangings adorn many households, and her posterity deems them priceless treasures.
When she was fifteen years old, she was called to participate in the choir in her Yale Ward. There were several members of the Tabernacle Choir in this group and they helped her learn how to read music and sing part harmony. She claims that this association helped her appreciate music all through her life. This encouraged her to join high school, college and community choirs including the Musettes in Springville. She felt close to the Lord as she sang hymns of praise and as she listened to others, including her children and grandchildren, do the same.
For Elizabeth, the greatest joy and accomplishment she had in this life was raising a righteous family and enjoying a close relationship with her children and grandchildren up until her death. She is survived by her children, James M. Nance (Wilma) of Galveston, Texas; Steven G. Nance (LeAnn) of Salem, Utah; Michael S. Nance (Gloria) of Springville, Utah; Paul R. Nance (Shelly) of Springville, Utah; David K. Nance (Stacy) of Springville, Utah. She is also survived by two brothers: Charles Goldthorpe of Cedar City, Utah and Harold Goldthorpe of St. George, Utah. She has 26 living grandchildren and 54 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, James Nance; infant daughter, Janice; daughter Janene; 2 grandchildren, John and Tyson; and a brother, Fred Goldthorpe.
Funeral services for this wonderful lady will be held on Tuesday, April 30, 2013 at 1:00 pm at the Springville 3
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Ward Chapel, 355 East Center Street, Springville, Utah. There will be a visitation Monday, April 29 from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at Wheeler Mortuary, 211 East 200 South in Springville and again on Tuesday before services from 11:30-12:30 at the church. Burial will be in the Springville Evergreen Cemetery.
Condolences may be sent at www.wheelermortuaries.com