Nancy Cook Candee

 

Nancy Cook-Candee, age 76, died peacefully on June 30 in Montrose, Colorado with her family by her side.  Nancy was born in the spring of 1947 in Denver, Colorado to Eugene and Helen Cook. She married Chris Candee in 1983 in Silverton, Colorado. 

Nancy’s chosen profession was nursing, becoming a Registered Nurse in the 1980s after working for years as a Licensed Practical Nurse. She worked in many areas of nursing and enjoyed them all, in particular using her skills in Guatemala with the Helping Hands Medical Mission. 

Nancy lived most of her life in Colorado, with the exceptions of Chili, Turkey and Reno when Chris was working there. She took advantage of everything Colorado has to offer- skiing, hiking, rafting and kayaking. She claimed climbing 14,000 foot peaks in her achievements. Her greatest love was running the rivers of Colorado and nearby Utah, earning her the name “River Rat”. 

She loved foreign travel, visiting Mexico with Chris, and 11  foreign countries with travel buddies. 

For 30 years, Nancy organized her annual spring “Birthday Hike” in nearby Utah. She obtained camping permits and invited  family and friends near and far. She organized  games, hikes and activities for all who came. Her trips  were always filled with much fun, friendship and laughter. 

Nancy was a cat person-always had at least one cat and more often than not two or three! She was a devoted friend, always there in time of need with a twinkle in her beautiful blue eyes. She enjoyed family and friends, games and laughter, cats, chocolate and ice cream, river trips and Colorado mountains.  

Chris and Nancy had a home in Ouray, dubbed “Candees’ Castle” where they lived periodically during their working years and finally, full-time after retirement. Nancy loved watching the deer and wild turkeys that came into her yard and the beautiful aspen trees that surrounded her house. 

Nancy was preceded in death by her parents, Eugene and Helen, and her sister Diana. She is survived by her husband Chris, her nephew Mike and many cousins. In addition to her surviving relatives, Nancy leaves countless friends from all walks of life across the world.

You leave a hole in our hearts, beloved Nancy, and we will always remember your sweetness. 

Funeral arrangements by Taylor Mortuary in Delta Colorado. Private family service will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations in Nancys honor can be made to Helping Hands Medical Mission.