Nancy was born in Provo, Utah, on November 4, 1924, the eldest of five children to Orville Stanley and Alice Richards Taylor Cox. Her early life was marked by resilience and adventure, beginning in a dugout in Spring Canyon during her father’s work as an electrician at the mine. She later moved to Fairview before settling back in Provo, where she attended Brigham Young Training School, Farrer Jr. High, and graduated from Provo High School in 1943.

Education was a cornerstone of Nancy’s life. She attended Brigham Young University for a year before joining the Cadet Nurse program at LDS Hospital in Salt Lake City, where she earned her RN degree in 1947. Determined to further her education, she completed her bachelor’s degree at the University of Utah that same summer. Nancy dedicated 32 years of her career to the maternity ward at Utah Valley Hospital, where she compassionately cared for mothers and newborns, leaving an enduring legacy of comfort and support. Her passion for education extended beyond nursing as she taught prenatal classes, contributed to documentaries, and shared her knowledge on the prenatal series hosted on KBYU.

On February 14, 1947, Nancy married Lee Stringham MacKay in the Salt Lake City Temple. They embarked on a journey that led them briefly to Colorado and eventually back to Provo. They had six children. In 1951, they settled in Edgemont, where they built a home and raised their family until retiring to Fairview in 1988.

Nancy’s retirement years were as active as her career. She spent 15 years as a tax preparer for H&R Block and was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, where she served faithfully. Nancy also became deeply involved in preserving local history through her work at the Fairview Museum, where she served on the board for nearly two decades starting in 1992. Her commitment to historical preservation also led her to participate in the Historical Preservation Commission and the DUP. Nancy’s love for learning manifested in many forms, from square dancing, which she and Lee pursued avidly and taught for over two decades, to her dedication to handiwork, particularly lace-making. She taught herself and others all types of lace and was a member of both the Beehive Lacers and Academy Square Lacers. Nancy initiated the annual “Lace Days” held at the Fairview Museum each July for the past 33 years. This event became a beloved tradition, celebrating the artistry and heritage of lace-making while bringing together enthusiasts from near and far.

Part of Nancy’s love for learning was imparting knowledge to the next generation. She cherished time spent with her grandchildren, hosting them at grandma’s house where they learned Boy Scout skills, crocheting, sewing, cooking, and soaked in the history of Fairview. Most memorable were the daily rules she set for their visits, which reflected her values and left a lasting impression on each grandchild.

Nancy Cox MacKay leaves behind a legacy of love, learning, and service that will be cherished by her family, friends, and community for generations to come.

Nancy is survived by her five children: Alan (Kathy) of Georgetown, TX; Alice (Lanny) Wakefield of Provo, UT; Michael (Milette) of Fairview, UT; Gary (Linda) of Provo, UT; and Andrew (Sue) of Idaho Falls, Idaho; 21 grandchildren, 47 great-grandchildren, and 6 great-great-grandchildren; and her siblings Carl (Mansfield, Missouri), Lee (Provo, UT), Alta Wetzker (Columbia, Missouri), and Louise Harmon (Orem, UT). Nancy was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Lee, her son Benjamin, three grandsons, and one great-grandson.

A Viewing will be held on Friday, July 26, from 10:00 to 11:00 am at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints located at 555 E 3230 N, Provo, Utah. Following the Viewing, Graveside Services will be held at the Provo City Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Fairview Museum of History and Art, a cause dear to Nancy’s heart.

Funeral Directors: Utah Valley Mortuary