Nancy Yvonne Parrish

Nancy Yvonne Lewis Parrish was born on September 10, 1935, at the home of her parents in Higley, Arizona which was located on school property. She was the baby of the family, being the fourth child born to Albertus (Bert) Lewis and Mamie (Hawkins) Lewis. She left this earth to the arms of Jesus on Friday, January 31, 2025. 

Although born in Higley, the family moved to Chandler when she was young and that is where she spent most of her life. She graduated from Chandler High School in 1953. While at Chandler High, she was involved in many activities, including being a cheerleader. She then attended Grand Canyon College and WAFB School where she studied Secretarial Science.  

Church was always a very important part of Nancy’s life. As a child and teenager, she attended First Baptist Church of Chandler. This is where she met her future husband, Jim. They were both in the youth department and Jim said it was there he “met the most beautiful girl.” They married on June 10, 1955, at First Baptist Church. For many years, the couple served in church and were impactful in many ways.  

After Nancy and Jim married, Nancy spent the next few years as a homemaker. She felt her calling was to take care of Jim and support him in his work and support her children. Her home was warm, and the door was always open. She welcomed guests, hosting many friends over the years. She also opened her home to Rotary members (of which she was President of the Rotary women), business associates of Jim’s as well as many church gatherings. 

A resident of Chandler for most of her life, there was a period of about 15 years where she and Jim moved away. The first move was to Gila Bend when Jim managed his first Chevron station. They then moved back to Chandler for about 10 years while Jim owned and operated Jim’s Chevron on Arizona Avenue. Later, Jim joined New York Life which took them to Camarillo, California and later to Tucson, Arizona. After several years with New York Life, Jim and Nancy decided to open their own insurance agency which brought them full circle back to Chandler. Nancy joined Jim in the business, and they worked hand-in-hand until they retired in 2007. 

Nancy loved music and was often found pulling out her Baptist Hymnal and playing hymns on the piano that her parents bought her when a child. She sang alto in the church choir and was part of a trio that often sang in church. She passed that love of music down to her kids who have each been involved in church music over the years. 

Nancy is survived by her four children: Michael Parrish (Donna) of Chandler, Karen Parrish of Chandler, Shelley Morris (Tim) of Queen Creek and Donna Rivituso (Eric) of Gilbert; 7 grandchildren: Jon Parrish, Ashley Parrish Garcia (Manuel), Kylie Chapetti (Ramon), Logan VanLiere, Jacob Morris (Ashlyn), Jared Morris (Faith), and Tommie Rivituso; 6 great -grandchildren: Bailey Parrish, Carter and Madison Garcia , Genevieve and Vincent Chapetti and Levi VanLiere and many special nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband of 64 years, Jim, her parents Bert and Mamie, and her siblings – Bert LaVern Lewis, Milton Lewis and Margaret Lewis. 

Private service to be held on Friday, February 7, 2025. Internment Valley of the Sun Cemetery in Chandler.