Nancy Malone Symms

1939 - 2025

Nancy Malone Symms

April 10, 1939 - December 14, 2025

Caldwell, Idaho - Nancy was born in Mercedes, Texas to Ethie Mary Smith Malone and Clayton Edmunds Malone of Weslaco, Texas. A mile from the Rio Grande River and US border, her address was in Progreso on Lion Lake, where she canoed often. Her daddy was a cotton, vegetable, and citrus farmer. Nancy was a friend to the animals that frequented the lake; horses, birds, and snakes. People would bring injured animals to Nancy, and she and her daddy would build cages to rehabilitate and care for them together. Nancy attended the First Presbyterian Church in Weslaco and had perfect Sunday School attendance for 8 years. She went to Weslaco schools until her sophomore year in high school when she transferred to The Hockaday School in Dallas. She loved boarding life and made lifelong friends. After graduating in 1957, she spent a year at Colby Junior College in New Hampshire before transferring to the University of Texas where she joined the Kappa Kappa Gamma Sorority and majored in Psychology, beginning a lifelong love of the Texas Longhorns.

In 1958, a friend set Nancy up on a blind date with an Idaho cowboy, Dick Symms. He promised her a wonderful life in Idaho on the fruit ranch. They were married on July 28, 1961, and she moved to Idaho. She missed her beloved Texas, but she added three beautiful healthy children to her life: Mary in 1963, Dar in 1964, and David in 1968. She was the heart of her family, and she taught the kids organization through "everything has its place," money management through allowance and chores, beauty through gardening, and personal responsibility. She taught us that every plant must have its space to flourish and that we must "prune" away what is not needed.

Nancy was a true Texan, owned property in Texas most of her life, had family reunions in Wimberley annually, and loved spending time with her cousins in the Hill Country. She also cherished Idaho, delighting in hikes and canoe trips through its rivers and mountains and in gatherings with friends and family in Sun Valley.

Time spent with her KKG sisters helped her adjust to living life in the north. She was a part of two bridge clubs, organized the 7 No Trump investment group for her women's bridge club, participated in the American Association of University Woman, joined the PEO sisterhood which focuses on educational scholarships for women, shared her love of antiquing in the Questers club, volunteered in many positions at Boone Memorial Presbyterian Church, and enjoyed spending time with the "Grebe" wives. In each social group she was a part of, Nancy forged deep friendships. She and Dick had a wonderful group of friends whose children and grandchildren are friends to this day.

She was the original organizer of the set of volunteer programs, "Mother Aides", for Lincoln Elementary, where they set up a library and a reading program as there was no school library for kids to take home books for reading practice. In addition, they encouraged volunteer time for mothers and community members where they would share their areas of expertise with the children to help them build their character, knowledge, and future lives. She had a strong belief in life-long education.

She was an antique collector and refinisher, collector and educator of antique quilts, taught tole-painting to many people and did lovely creations on metal and wood. She created stunning gardens and built a warm and charming Texas farmhouse where she and Dick often entertained. Her ability to decorate and create a beautiful home was renowned. Nancy was an excellent investor, especially in land and stocks. She served on the board of the College of Idaho for six years. In 1984, she studied and passed her Series 7 tests to officially become a stockbroker. She then invested in people, providing them with financial planning solutions. She found special joy in helping women plan their education and financial security. Gathering time at the Gazebo or Grace for 5pm happy hour was special, and Nancy often expressed gratitude for all those who visited her, especially her three children. She loved and appreciated each person who shared their lives with her.

She is survived by her three children and eight grandchildren: Mary Symms-Pollot (Christopher, Katherine and McLeod Pollot), Dar (Jodi) Symms (Eva and Thomas Symms), David Symms (Matthew, Sophia and Patrick Symms), her brother Bill Malone, many loving cousins and many special friends all over the country. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Dick (Richard A. Symms) and her grandson Richard Symms. Nancy believed in doing the right thing at the right time, and she lived her life accordingly.

Hence, she planned Ecclesiastes 3:1-13 for her graveside services which will be held at Canyon Hill Cemetery on December 27 at 2pm in Caldwell and can be viewed via Zoom live-stream (link found on Dakan Funeral Chapel's website.) A Celebration of Life will be on April 11, 2026 from 3 to 7p.m. at her home in Sunny Slope. All are welcome at both events. She asked that donations be made in her honor to the PEO sisterhood, Chapter AU, 114 E. Logan Street, Caldwell, Idaho 83605.