Nancy Lee (Dixon) Casey, 77, of Caldwell, died August 16, 2012, in Caldwell, Idaho, after a long, and brave, battle with Parkinson's.

Nancy was born February 10, 1935, in Scheller, IL., the youngest of the nine children of Andrew Jackson Dixon and Elsie Mae (Shelton) Dixon.

Nancy graduated from Waltonville High School in 1953, and married Tommy Atkins shortly after. They divorced shortly after their son, Mark, was born.

Following the divorce, she and Mark moved to Idaho to join two of her sisters already living there and began working as a switchboard operator for the phone company. It was there that she met Fred Duke, and they married on Dec. 7, 1956. He brought his two daughters, Mary and Donna, to the relationship. And in 1960, Nancy gave him a third daughter, Leslie.

Nancy and Fred were married until his death in 1978.

She then met Walter Casey, and they married April 23, 1982.

Life really began in earnest for her then as they traveled the country extensively and entertained often. Nancy was the consummate hostess, preparing scrumptious meals and setting beautiful tables. As Telephone Pioneers of America members, they both attended and hosted many a campout.

Walt and Nancy were married 27 years until his death, exactly a year before, on August 16, 2011.

Nancy was also a dedicated patriot. July 4th was on even par with Christmas as her favorite holiday, and red, white and blue were her favorite colors whether for clothing, table decor, or even the flowers in the garden that Walt planted for her. She was as generous as she was patriotic, keeping mental notes of needs and wants, then finding those special items to give as gifts. She was talented and creative, loved music, stained glass, sewing, reading romance and mystery novels, camping, and feeding her hummingbirds. She also was an accomplished fisherwman, out-fishing most of those who fished with her.

Nancy will be sorely missed by all who knew her, including each one of her caregivers.

A special thanks to the staff at her care facilities, and to the hospice teams who watched over her.

She was preceded in death also by her parents and seven of her eight siblings.

Her legacy of love remains in her son, Mark Atkins (Crystal); a daughter Leslie Eyton (Steve); Steven L. Casey (Linda); Gregory S. Casey Sr. (Julia); Carlee Casey (Janina); and Mary Hartman and Donna Scharfen. Her grandchildren include Ambur Emrich, Steven E. Eyton (Stacy); Tara Nelson (John), Jeff Casey, Jackson T. Eyton (Rosa), Gregory S. Casey Jr., Aaron Atkins, and Adam Atkins. Great-grandchildren include Braden and Reese, twins Raegan Ann and Rylee Jo, Trinity, and Daniel.

Nancy's Funeral Service will be held on Thursday, August 23, 2012, at 11:00 a.m. at Flahiff Funeral Chapel, Caldwell. Interment will follow at Joplin Cemetery, Meridian, ID.

Source: Unknown Idaho newspaper
Date: August 2012
Submitted by: Rosemary Newell Atkins