Nancy Santheson

• NANCY JANE WHITMAN SANTHESON
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• Mrs. Nancy Jane Whitman Santheson, a resident of Roswell, NM passed away peacefully on July 28, 2024 at her home.
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• Nancy was born in St. Charles, MO on August 18, 1929 to Scott and Dorothy Whitman. She was the oldest of three children. For several years of her childhood they lived in Dexter, NM near her paternal grandparents. Later the family moved back to Missouri where her maternal grandparents lived. In 1947 she graduated from St Charles High School. In 1948 she met her husband-to-be Stan Santheson at New Mexico A&M (now New Mexico State University) in Las Cruces, NM. They were married in St. Charles, MO on September 22, 1949. They resided in Roswell, NM and Nancy worked with her husband in his family’s floral business (Roswell Floral Co.) until their retirement. 

In college she was a member of Panhellenic and the Pi Delta Chapter of Chi Omega sorority. After college she continued to be active as an alumna. She recently received recognition for being a Pi Delta Chi Omega for 75 years.

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• Nancy joined the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) in December 1949. One of her fondest and satisfying memories of her service in the local chapter was when she taught citizenship classes to people who wanted to become citizens of the United States. She taught these classes for 5 years until they moved them to El Paso, TX. At the end of each of the classes there was a beautiful ceremony at the Chaves County Courthouse to welcome the new US citizens. They each were presented an American flag. The Roswell DAR chapter hosted a lovely brunch for the new citizens and their friends and families. She continued to be active in other aspects of the Roswell Chapter of DAR until recent years. 

• Nancy was a member of the First United Methodist Church. She served on various committees and boards at the church. She taught Vacation Bible School classes and assisted with social events and fundraisers. She contributed many talents and hours to the United Methodist Women Circles. A favorite activity was participating in the annual bazaars the women put on to raise money for missions and other worthy causes.
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• Nancy was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and aunt. When her daughters were in school, she was very involved in the Edgewood Elementary PTA, and the Goddard High School PTSA. She was a wonderful cook and made delicious meals for her family. She enjoyed supporting Stan and his interests. She was an Opti-Mrs. when he was in the Optimist Club. She traveled with him all over the USA and Canada whether it was being involved in antique car activities and events or exploring ghost towns. She was faithful to send her children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews and other family members cards and notes for special holidays and events in their lives. It was something she loved to do and they looked forward to receiving them. It gave her great pleasure to also receive mail and visits from her loved ones.
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• Nancy was always busy. She enjoyed sewing and excelled in the needle arts of needle point, crochet, knitting, embroidery, counted cross-stitch and quilt making. She was in a quilters club and made many quilts over the years. At one point she taught knitting, crochet and needlepoint classes at the Adult Center. This was a very fulfilling episode in her life. 

Nancy had many special interests. Whether it was historical or fictional books, she loved reading. She visited the library regularly and belonged to a book club. She also enjoyed collecting stamps and looked forward to receiving her Philatelic Catalog to see the new stamps that were being released. She always had an interesting story or memory to share, and she looked forward to having conversations with friends and family. She was interested in learning what was happening in their lives and would look forward to hearing of travels they had experienced. Over her lifetime she developed happy memories and many life-long friendships.

• Nancy developed an interest in genealogy and researched both the Santheson and Whitman families. She believed learning and knowing about family history was important and rewarding. She has created a library of documents and pictures of all that she discovered to pass on to her children and grandchildren.
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• Preceding her in death were her parents, her husband Stan, and her brother Robert Whitman and his wife Joan, brother Harry Whitman, her sister-in-law Bernice Santheson D’Abadie, her niece Nancy D’Abadie Lenton, and her nephew Jon D’Abadie. Nancy is survived by her two daughters, Stephana Thornton and husband Clay of Cincinnati, OH and Ciri Enoch of Las Cruces, NM, nephew Alan D’Abadie and his wife Sandra of Roswell, NM and sister-in-law Carol Whitman of St. Charles, MO. Also, five grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. Her grandchildren Trent Thornton of Canton, OH, Tracy Thornton Bulharowski and husband Thomas of Warner-Robins, GA, Trevor Enoch and his wife Crystal of Las Cruces, NM, Tiffany Enoch of Edgewood, New Mexico, Travis Enoch and his wife Rebecca of Las Cruces, NM and her great-grandchildren Ryan, Ethan, Garrett, and Jason Bulharowski, Emma and Andrew Enoch, Cody and Lily Flora (their father Jeremy Flora), and Scarlett Enoch. She is also survived by many cousins, nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews.

We would like to thank Kaylea and Laurie of Comfort Keepers for their loving care. 

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• Visitation will be from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Friday, August 16, 2024 at Ballard Funeral Home. 
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• Graveside services will be held Saturday, August 17, 2024 at 10:30 a.m. at South Park Cemetery with John Fuss officiating. Flowers will be welcome.