Nancy Upton

Nancy Carolyn Upton, of Fontana Ca, graduated from this mortal realm on July 3, 2024 in Cedar City, Utah, in the home of Jeff and Kathy Kaiser, at the age of 84. She was surrounded by those who loved and cared for her. She passed due to metastatic cancer.

Nancy was born on September 28, 1939 to Colonel Harold Joseph Doud and Agda S. Bentsen. Nancy was born in the Panama Canal Zone on the United States Army Base. Colonel Doud’s military carrier allowed Nancy to travel the World before settling in New Jersey and instilled in her a love of traveling. Nancy’s mother died in 1970 leaving Nancy with wonderful memories of socializing, Community Theater, devotion to God, and an irrevocable bond that she talked about until the very end. Colonel Doud passed in 2002 leaving a legacy of devotion to Country and Honor.

Upon High School graduation, Nancy completed some college, which she did not enjoy, and married John M. Hayes in 1957 in New Jersey. They were blessed with one son, John M. Hays Jr. They moved to California sometime after Johnny’s birth. Their marriage ended in divorce in 1969. Nancy was then remarried to Denzel Upton in 1973 in California. Their marriage also ended in divorce in 1997. Johnny graduated this life in 2005 in Fontana, Ca.

Nancy is devout in her faith to God, always attending services either at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, or a Non-Denominational Church or at the Community Baptist Church in Fontana, Ca. She attended the Baptist Church for many years before her passing. She served in Nursery and in the Youth Sunday School until it became too difficult to hear. She has a love of God’s word through the Bible and songs of praise through the sacred hymns.

Nancy served her community for many years at the gift and flower shop inside the Kaiser Permanente Hospital in Fontana, Ca, as well as the AARP Fontana Chapter’s Treasurer where she continued to participate in excursions and World Travel. Nancy remained physically active in her later years through swimming and water aerobics at the Rialto Community Pool. Next to the Lord her greatest joy was food! She loved her weekly pot lucks, Friday dances and food, Birthday Club dinners, and Poncho Villa’s Mexican food.

Nancy was the last surviving member of her immediate family. She is survived by a few cousins in Michigan whom she visited regularly until age dictated no more travel. Her legacy lives on through those who she chose and who chose her as Family: Her relationship with Jeff and Kathy Kaiser and their family spanned 35 years; Carlene and Kimberly Hanson; Karen and Ronnie Wilson; Jennifer and Leon Rao; Joy Kuester; Gerri Thompson; Rose Alvarez; Nancy Ritzeman; Marilyn Friedeck; Julie Somboonde and many more.

Nancy’s final wish is to be cremated which Cedar Valley Funeral and Cremation will fulfill.