Nancy Ann Berry

Our cherished oldest sibling and sister and dear aunt, Nancy Ann Berry (née Darby), age 88, passed away peacefully on July 4, 2025, in Albuquerque, New Mexico after a brief illness. Born on December 16, 1936, in Mt. Pleasant, Texas, Nancy lived a life full of warmth, laughter, and deep connection with those around her.

In the 1950s, Nancy made a life-changing move from her home in Dallas to Albuquerque, New Mexico-a city that quickly became her beloved home. She embraced the Albuquerque community wholeheartedly and built a life rooted in service, joy, and decades long friendships with amazing people.

Nancy enjoyed a long and fulfilling career with Allstate Insurance Company. Starting in a clerical role, she steadily rose through the ranks to become a respected senior claims adjuster. Her dedication to excellence and genuine care for others shone brightly throughout her career until her retirement. She was twice honored with the prestigious Allstate President's Annual Customer Service Award-an acknowledgment of her unwavering commitment to helping others and her exceptional professionalism.

Beyond her professional accomplishments, Nancy was known for her vibrant personality and infectious spirit. She had a keen sense of humor and a laugh that could light up any room. Her storytelling was legendary-often outrageous, sometimes fantastical, always entertaining-and she delighted in sharing tales that brought joy to those around her. Mischievous and playful even into her later years, Nancy remained forever young at heart.

Music was another source of joy for Nancy and she had a lovely singing voice. Family gatherings often featured her singing alongside loved ones while her brothers played guitar-a cherished tradition that brought everyone closer together. These sing alongs were always a mixture of music and side splitting laughter. Her keen wit always lent itself to a funny comment that would leave her audience in stitches. Her love for people extended beyond family; she never met a stranger and cultivated lasting friendships throughout her life.

Nancy's devotion to her family was unwavering. She is survived by her brother Orman D. Darby, Jr., of Everett, WA; brother John M. Hayner and his wife Drew of Hunt, TX; and sister Elizabeth MacLean Huston and her husband James of Glendale, AZ. She also leaves behind nephew John W. Darby and his wife Gina of Everett, WA; niece Wendy Hayner and her wife Tonie of Austin, TX; nephew John Colin Huston and his wife Rochelle of Glendale, AZ; niece Shelby Huston Caple and her husband Cody of Glendale, AZ; nephew Jason Cory Huston of Glendale, AZ; as well as great-nieces and nephews Sean MacNeill, Mollie Galbraith, Hayden Galbraith, Nixon Galbraith, Monica Darby-Augustin, Brennan Darby, Wyatt Agustin, Skylar Hayner, Walker Hayner, Harrison James Caple, and Kori Jayne Huston. She is also remembered fondly by numerous Darby cousins.

Nancy was preceded in death by her father Orman D. Darby (d. 1944), mother Frances Gunn MacLean (d. 2010), sister-in-law Frances Penn Darby (d. 2016), all of her Gunn family aunts and uncles, and many beloved Gunn family cousins. Her devoted pup and faithful friend, Paco, also crossed the rainbow bridge within her last year and we know she missed her devoted companion during her last days.

To know Nancy was to be touched by kindness and joy. Her sweet soul left an indelible mark on all who knew her. Though our hearts are heavy with loss, we find comfort in imagining the joyful reunion now taking place in Heaven-filled with laughter, love, and song among the Gunn relatives once more. She is home with those she loved and with those who loved her back so much. There was no formal funeral arranged by her next of kin as Nancy did not want a funeral, but all in her family will celebrate her life through private, individual rememberances, and we encourage those who knew and loved Nancy to celebrate her life and grieve her loss in whatever way feels the most appropriate and healing. We hope that like us, you will think of Nancy and smile when you think of your memories with this special human being.

Nancy will be loved forever and remembered always by those who were fortunate enough to share in her life. The world will be a dimmer place without her in it and we pray that we can carry forward the light of her smile and the echo of her laughter until we meet again. You are forever in our hearts and we love you and will miss you for always, Nancy. ~ Your Family