Nancy Kinney

Nancy Kinney passed away at the age of 95 on January 19, sans swim fins and walking shoes! By her own account, she really led a charmed life. Born to Wendell Kinney and Sylvia Lewis Kinney in Los Angeles, CA. in 1929, she was a proud Angeleno, graduating from Marlborough School. With multigenerational ties to Arizona dating back to the 1870’s, Nancy chose to attend college at the University of Arizona where she was a Desert Mermaid, a member of the Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority, and where she met John C. Hughes, the man she married while finishing her senior year. Together they had five children over a period of six- and one-half years!

Throughout her life Nancy was an enthusiastic volunteer. In addition to being a Cub Scout Den Mother, she dedicated her time and energy to the Friendly House, Samuel Gompers, the Good Shepherd Home for Girls, the Junior League of Phoenix, the St. Luke’s Board of Visitors, the Arizona Historical Foundation, and the Iron Springs Outing Club.

Trinity Cathedral was like a home to Nancy. Her mother and father were married there in 1928, and her grandfather, Ernest Lewis, (father of Orme, Sylvia and Robert) helped drag in the beams to construct the Cathedral. She was joyful there, worshiping and providing meals to the community in need.

Nancy was a U.S. Masters Swimmer and competed locally, nationally, and internationally. She was a national and world record champion, excelling in the backstroke and individual medley. She was inducted into the University of Arizona Sports Hall of Fame in 1991 for her all-around athleticism, especially for her diving! Most every morning Nancy walked along Palo Cristi Road where she happily greeted everyone she encountered along her way. As a gardener and landscaper, she always found trees to prune and cacti to thin. She traveled the world, loved the beach and basking in the sun, but mostly, she loved summertime at her cabin in Iron Springs, Arizona, the Buena Vista Lodge.

Nancy was blessed with great friends, a heavenly family and a healthy and ridiculously full life. Her children, grandchildren and their children will miss her! She is survived by her children, Nan Hughes, Wendy Pitha (Nick), John Hughes (Leslie), Michael Hughes (Alison Marshall) and Betsy Baker (Tom), her grandchildren, Mary Cordon (Dave), Wendy Gontram (Matt), Emily Pitha, Nicholas Pitha (Colleen), Carey Hughes (Elena), Chrisman Hughes, Clara Baker and Kinney Baker; and great-grandchildren, McAllister Cordon, Scout Gontram and Eva Hughes. Nancy was also a mom to Marco MacBeth and a sister to Sally Wenzlau of San Marino, California, whom she loved dearly.

A Service will be held for Nancy February 8, 2025, at 11:30 a.m. with a reception to follow at Trinity Episcopal Cathedral, 100 W. Roosevelt St. in Phoenix, Arizona 85003.

In lieu of flowers and in memory of Nancy, donations may be made to: World Central Kitchen: donations@worldcentralkitchen.org