Obituary: Macgregor, Nancy Margaret
Age 85
She was born May 5, 1928 to Carol Florence Olson and Thomas Rex Walenta.
Nancy spent her first two years of life with her parents on a ranch outside of Lemon, South Dakota.
Soon after, sister Donna Jo was born and the family settled in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Nancy’s father attended the University of Minnesota Law School and her mother, Carol, who already possessed a Masters of Business from the University of Idaho, taught commercial classes at night to support the family.
Education was of prime importance in Nancy’s family and she learned at an early age that educational goals were important.
Soon the family moved to Denver, Colorado, where Rex practiced law.
Carol continued teaching and both Nancy and her sister attended school.
Nancy attended Cathedral High School in Denver and enjoyed playing piano for school choirs and activities.
After graduation she attended Washington State University (WSU) in Pullman, graduating in 1950 with a degree in Pharmacy.
She was one of five women in her class.
While at WSU Nancy was active in the Alpha Phi sorority and Lambda Kappa Sigma, a national pharmacy honorary, serving as president for both organizations.
Upon graduation Nancy practiced pharmacy in Spokane, Washington and later at the Owl Drug in Moscow, Idaho.
It was in Moscow that she met her future husband Wayne C. MacGregor, Jr., a graduate of the University of Idaho, School of Law.
Her father was the professor of law at the University of Idaho and Wayne came by the Walenta home to wish the professor good luck in his doctoral studies at the University of Illinois School of Law.
Wayne was introduced to Nancy, then not realizing that she would become the love of his life and the center of his world.
Wayne and Nancy were married September 12, 1953, at St. Mary’s Church in Moscow.
They moved to Grangeville, Idaho where Wayne opened his law practice and Nancy practiced pharmacy.
Together they raised six children.
Nancy was known for her love of cooking, baking and entertaining.
She and her husband loved having family holidays at their home and special gatherings of friends for dinners and parties.
Nancy was a passionate community volunteer, active in leading 4-H groups for her daughters and in Sts.
Peter and Paul Home and School Association.
Nancy loved helping her church and participated in the Women’s Deanery, serving as President of the North Central Deanery of Catholic Women.
In 1962, Nancy was chosen as the “Young Woman of the Year” by the Grangeville Jay-C-Ettes.
She was chosen for her civic improvement work, club activities, leadership ability, cooperative spirit, social welfare service, church activities and home and family life.
Nancy was also active in the American Association of University Women (AAUW), the Grangeville Hospital Auxiliary, now Syringa Hospital Auxiliary and P.E.O.
She served as a state officer for six years and multiple terms as president and various other offices of the Grangeville chapter P.E.O.
She enjoyed her membership in the Grangeville Home Extension group and loved playing bridge with her many friends through the years.
Nancy’s greatest joys in life stemmed from her activities with her husband, children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, extended family of her sister and sister-in-laws, nieces, nephews and cousins.
Nancy is survived by her husband of 60 years, Wayne C. MacGregor, Jr., her sister, Donna Jo Fitzgerald of Nampa, Idaho; her five daughters and their spouses, Shawnna and Robert Stockton of Cheney, Washington; Molly and Roger Cole of Moscow, Idaho; Bridget Baker of Marlton, New Jersey; Mary Cathleen and Jon Irby of Meridian, Idaho; Leslie and Dean Diffin of Meridian, Idaho, and son, Kirk and Beth MacGregor of Grangeville.
Nancy loved her grandchildren, Lauren Baker of Marlton, New Jersey; Rick Baker of Princeton, New Jersey; Sean Baker of Marlton, New Jersey; Stefanie Stockton Guy and Michael of Boise; Nancy Stockton of Boise; Rex and Ruth Irby of Meridian; Sophie, Grace and Maggie Diffin of Meridian; Keely and Maximus MacGregor of Grangeville and great-grandchildren, Jose Baker Gonzales of Marlton, New Jersey; and Genevieve Guy of Boise.
The family wishes to thank the caring and conscientious staff at Sacred Heart Hospital following Nancy’s two surgeries.
Their gentle and loving care was appreciated by all.
Rosary will be held Friday, April 11, 2014 at 7:00 p.m., at Sts.
Peter and Paul Catholic Church, 318 South “B” Street, Grangeville.
A Catholic Mass of Christian Burial will be held Saturday, April 12, 2014 at 11:00 a.m., at Sts.
Peter and Paul Catholic Church.
Interment will follow at the Grangeville Cemetery with a reception for family and friends at the MacGregor home, 503 South Florence.
Arrangements are under the direction of Blackmer Funeral Home, Grangeville, ID.
Send condolences to the family to Blackmerfuneralhome.com