SANBORNTON-----Nancy Rebecca (Wallis) Morrison died suddenly in her Sanbornton home on Jan 17, 2017 with her daughters present.
She was born in Laconia, NH on August 23, 1928 to her parents, Ralph Joseph and Emma Catherine (Yost) Wallis. She was married to her husband, Starlin Andrew Morrison for 68 family-filled years.
Nancy grew up in Dedham, Massachusetts before going to high school at the St. Johnsbury Academy in St. Johnsbury, Vermont. She attended Plymouth Teachers college for two years before getting married to her love, Starlin A. Morrison in Sanbornton, NH on October 16, 1948.
Nancy lived a full life as a mother of 8 children and a foster mother to several more. She was a grandmother of 39 and a great-grandmother to 30. She loved her children, grandchildren and great-grand children. She is fondly remembered by them as their cheerleader, their champion who had their best interest at heart, holding their faces or hands in hers, and reminding them of their greatness. Nancy loved to attend as many of her children and grand-children's events, whether of a sporting, theatrical or artistic nature, supporting each of their interests. She traveled with her family to Salt Lake City, Utah, the closest LDS temple to her at the time, as she could be sealed to her family for time and all eternity. Things of Eternal Nature were very important to Nancy.
Nancy loved to sing, being a member of the choral society at college, singing with the Congregational Church in Sanbornton and in her own church in Laconia. She was known to sing her cares away, trying to turn a trial into a joy. She was an artist and had a deep gratitude for the beauty she found in everyday life. She was always giving thanks to God for her blessing, big and small. She was known, after taking a drink of her well water, to say, "Thank God for our water", which she truly meant. She loved and was grateful for all that God did and thanked Him for His patience with her mistakes. She was a remarkable woman of great faith.
Nancy had an inner strength and courage to push through great trials. She had a loving heart for family, friends, and those she had just met. She had a favorite saying, " Visit once and you are company; Visit twice and you are family and she lived that motto with all her heart. Her home was always open for anyone who needed a place to stay and many took up her offer of security, some for a few days, others for a few weeks or years.
Nancy had an insatiable curiosity and loved to learn new things. Her interests varied from growing things, diet, God and spiritual things. She loved to read and explore new topics. She was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for 56 years, after spending several years in searching for the truth. She loved sharing her testimony with all she knew and met, yet was respectful of others differing opinions and beliefs. Nancy served in the Presidency of the New England Regional Relief Society of her church for several years. In that capacity, she helped meet others needs to the best of her ability, lifting up others and easing their burdens. She was a Visiting Teacher for many years, visiting women of her church in their homes. When travel became difficult, she took wrote to many women, asking about them and caring for them, sharing her love.
Nancy will be remember as always being quick to volunteer to bring her famous baked beans and other baked goods to those who had troubles or just needing a bit of love and care. She taught many little children for many years in the nursery of her church, even when she had little ones of her own. Nancy's love of God and his children was first-most in her life, and her legacy that she left is a testimony to all who knew her.
Nancy was pre-deceased by her parents, Ralph and Emma Wallis, by her baby brother, Thomas Benjamin Wallis and her grand-sons, Thomas Ryan Lopez and Jonathan Bradbury Morrison. She will be missed by all who knew and loved her, leaving warm memories and grateful hearts in those she touched by her presence.
Calling hours will be held from 9AM to 10AM on Tuesday, January 24, 2017 at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1244 Old North Main Street, Laconia.
A memorial service will immediately follow at 10:30AM on Tuesday, January 24, 2017, also at the church.
Burial will be held in the spring in the family plot at Union Cemetery, Academy Street, Laconia.
Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 164 Pleasant Street, Laconia NH is assisting the family with the arrangements