Virginia (Ginny) Nash

Lucile Virginia Scott Nash           1930 — 2020

Lucile Virginia Scott Nash—Virginia or “Ginny” to her many friends and loved ones—devoted mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and aunt passed away peacefully as she retired for the evening on December 22, 2020, with family attendant. Surviving her beloved husband Leslie G. Nash by just over five years, Virginia presided as revered matriarch over a large, adoring family, fulfilling the vision of life she and Les shared from the inception of their marriage 66 years ago. In addition to her boundless devotion to family, she will be remembered for her seemingly infinite grace and extraordinary emotional intelligence, which resulted in many special relationships encompassing scores of friends and neighbors whose lives she brightened with her warmth, humor, affection and empathy.

Virginia is survived by seven children—Michelle (husband Daryl), Michael, Janet, Adam, Judy (husband Garth), Joseph (wife Stephanie), David (wife Liza)—23 grandchildren and 33 great-grandchildren. The spouses and companions of Ginny’s multi-generational lineage over the years also occupied revered places in her familial sphere. Virginia is predeceased by her parents and two brothers, Lewis MR Scott and Harold G. Scott. Ginny maintained close relationships with them throughout their lives, and was especially devoted to her mother, with whom she had an indivisible bond based on deeply shared principles, traits and interests.

Virginia was born September 19, 1930 in Durango, Colorado to Lucile Crosby and Milton Raymond Scott. Ginny moved frequently during her upbringing because of her father’s government service. By age 20, she had lived in 19 different homes in cities across the US, including: Decatur, Georgia; Denver, Colorado; Knoxville, Tennessee; Ogden, Utah; and, Tacoma, Washington. She graduated from Clifton Heights High School (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) in 1947, and attended Temple University and Oglethorpe University.

Ginny made a fateful decision to return to Denver in early adulthood: that’s where she found her soulmate, Les Nash, in the spring of 1954. It was Kismet. They married on July 24, six weeks after they met; they were sealed in the Salt Lake Temple in 1963. Continuing the peripatetic cadence of her early years, Les’s career as an Air Force officer took Ginny to Missouri, Alabama and Florida, with two stints in Japan providing many highlights in their life adventure. Ginny and Les moved from Japan to Salt Lake City in 1971, to take up permanent residence in Utah, following Les’s retirement from military service with the rank of Lt. Colonel. During nearly a half-century in Utah, Ginny and Les lived with their children in Holladay for several decades—both working at the local ZCMI department store during much of that time—ultimately moving as empty-nesters to Farmington in 2003.

Religion played a fundamental role in Ginny’s family life, and she converted to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the faith of her husband, a few years after their marriage. This was actually a return to Mormonism in the context of her family history: Ginny’s mother was raised in the LDS religion, prior to adopting Methodism after marriage. Ginny and Les were very active LDS church members, and Ginny faithfully fulfilled many roles from Primary and Sunday School Teacher, to Visiting Teacher, to leadership in the Relief Society. And reconnecting with her mother’s Mormon lineage in her last decade, Ginny became a member of the Daughters of Utah Pioneers, as a direct-line descendant of pre-1869 Beehive State settlers.

Ginny enjoyed many interests throughout her life including John Grisham novels, classic TV shows of the 1960s, slot machines, Elvis Presley and everything about Queen Elizabeth II. Her favorite date was always dinner and a movie. Ginny had a sweet-tooth and relished sharing chocolates and cookies with guests. And she loved recreational travel throughout her life. In addition to many weeks- and months-long road trips across the continental US, she vacationed in Alaska and Hawaii, explored the Middle East, and took a bucket-list trip to England in 2016.

Familial rituals and bonds formed the center of Ginny’s world, and at the core was her remarkable 61-year love affair with Les. Inseparable companions, constant confidants, partners in every important decision, Ginny’s marriage to Les was a bedrock and inspiration for their progeny. At their 60^th wedding anniversary dinner in 2014, the celebratory toast declared they had “showed the rest of us how the Game of Life—the happily-ever-after version—is supposed to be played. Sweethearts forever and family first, they lived with total conviction the life lessons that most people can only hope to one day understand.” Ginny and Les were always the emotional nucleus of large gatherings to mark holidays and special occasions, often incorporating dozens of relatives and close friends; many in the extended circle would remark afterwards that the highlight of the festivities had been their conversation with Ginny.

Owing perhaps to a childhood spent constantly adapting to new surroundings—perpetually being “the new kid”—Ginny easily made friends and was a scintillating conversationalist. But her “EQ” went well beyond that. Ginny possessed an exceptional faculty of engagement that enabled her to relate to almost anyone in an authentically personable and empathetic manner. Family and friends alike have commented: “She made everyone feel like they were her favorite” and “I knew Virginia for over 40 years and loved her more every time I saw her.”

The private graveside services for Virginia Nash will be held Thursday, December 31, 2020 at 11:00 a.m. at Camp Williams-Utah Veterans Memorial Park in Bluffdale, Utah. Given the current extraordinary circumstances, in adherence to COVID-19 restrictions, the service may be viewed live on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Russon-Mortuary-Crematory-105412734572327