Nancy Reed Harrop

Nancy Kay Knowles was born to Kenneth and Doris Hobbs Knowles November 11, 1940 in Ogden, Utah. She passed away surrounded by family on both sides of the veil on October 31, 2025. Beginning in her early years, she had a strong faith in Heavenly Father, "As far back as I can remember, I have prayed to Heavenly Father. I know He loves me and wants me to be happy." Nancy was a bright, energetic child with an appreciation and gratitude for the wonders of the world around her. These attributes continued throughout her life.

She graduated from Weber County High School in 1959. On September 3rd that year, Nancy and Gary Byron Cheney were sealed in the Salt Lake Temple. They had two children: Terilyn and Jeffrey. After 3 years in their covenant relationship, her husband, Gary Cheney passed away of heart failure on April 18, 1963, leaving her a widow at the young age of 22. Seeing the need to support her young children, Nancy chose to pursue her education and enrolled at Weber State College in the fall of 1963. She graduated in the spring of 1967 with a double major in English and Theater and a minor in Speech. She taught English at Clearfield High School during the 1967/68 school year.

Nancy and Harvard Huggins Reed were married May 31, 1968, in the Salt Lake Temple. They had 4 additional children: Angelique, Kenneth, Joseph, and Nicole. Together, and with the help of extended family members, they were intentional in creating unity within their growing family. Nancy and Harv blessed their children with 3 sets of loving grandparents, lots of aunts, uncles, and cousins who all supported them. Nancy and Harv built a home in North Ogden in 1969, where they both resided until their deaths. Nancy was a woman of great faith and a lifetime member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She held multiple teaching and leadership positions in the Relief Society, Young Women's, Sunday School, and Primary. Always the teacher, Nancy never hesitated to share her testimony of Jesus Christ. Her unwavering faith and trust in the Lord helped her successfully navigate multiple challenges throughout her life. Nancy testified, "Looking back through my life I see that my challenges were really God's blessings; to help me grow and learn. I know the Lord will always sustain me as I strive to do what is right."

She returned to her teaching career in 1985 as an English teacher at Weber High School. She was also adjunct faculty at Weber State College. Nancy loved teaching and was devoted to her students. She was well known for the personal notes she wrote to them expressing confidence and encouragement in their talents and abilities. Nancy was very involved in her community, serving in multiple capacities on PTA boards, North Ogden Civic League, and her local chapter of The Daughters of the Utah Pioneers. She was also involved in several church regional and missionary productions. After 39 years of dedication to their marriage, family, and covenants, Harv passed away of a brain tumor January 20, 2008.

Nancy and Gary Alfred Harrop were married February 14, 2009 in the Bountiful Temple. Together, they served as ordinance workers in the Ogden Temple. They were called to serve as the first full-time Perpetual Education Fund missionaries in Panama in 2011. While in Panama, Nancy also taught ESL classes. She and Gary served as ordinance workers in the Panama City Temple. Upon their return, they served as missionaries in the newly established BYU-I Pathway program. After 13 years of marriage and serving together, Gary passed away April 27, 2022.

Nancy testified to her family of what she had learned by experience, "Through my study and prayers I have come to understand Heavenly Father, His Son, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost. I know that They love each of us and want us to return to God's presence." As her family, we have witnessed her living her testimony throughout her mortal life. On the night of October 22, 2025, she offered her conviction, "I do have a testimony that Heavenly Father and Jesus love us and I know Heavenly Father has a plan for us. I know that even in our trials They love us."

Nancy was preceded in death by those listed above, her brother Gerald Kenneth Knowles, brother-in-law Melvin Ward Bryan, and great-grandson Wyatt Harvard Mark. Nancy is survived by her sister Barbara Bryan, sister-in-law Kris Knowles, two brothers: Douglas (Machel) Knowles, and Keith (JaNeece) Knowles; her six children and their spouses: Terilyn (Spencer) Mark, Jeffrey (Jamie) Reed, Angelique (Andrew) Paskett, Kenneth (Erin) Reed, Joseph (Jennifer) Reed, and Nicole (Bryan) Hepler, 36 grandchildren, and 26 great-grandchildren. Being a gatherer, Nancy welcomed stepchildren and grandchildren when she married Gary Harrop: Troy Harrop, Todd Harrop, Shaun (Katie) Harrop, Lance (Gina) Harrop, Robb (Karen) Harrop, Scott (Elizabeth) Harrop, Nicole (Jason) Poole, and Alma (Chris) Clark, 25 grandchildren, and 14 great-grandchildren.

With love and gratitude, we thank Symbii Hospice for their amazing team of thoughtful caregivers: Michelle, Shanna, Jamie, Mindy, Brooklyn, and Sandi; and Golden Dove Care for their devotion and love: Mele and Nini.

In honor of her life lived with resiliency and covenantal faith in Christ, please join with us for a viewing and funeral. The viewings will be Friday, November 7, 2025, from 6 to 8pm, and Saturday, November 8, 2025, from 9:30 to 10:30am. The funeral will be Saturday, November 8, 2025, at 11am. Both viewings and the funeral will be held at the North Ogden 16th Ward building, 205 E Elberta Drive, North Ogden, Utah.