Winifred Joy Nelson Mahaffey Obituary (1917 - 2018)

“Our Forever Teacher” Our beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister and friend, Winifred Joy Mahaffey (Nelson) passed away peacefully surrounded by her family, friends, and caregivers, on Sunday, September 23, 2018 in Taylorsville, Utah. Winifred was born a 3 ½ lb. preemie in a log cabin on April 1, 1917 to Jesse and Jessie (Blackburn) Nelson. She was the oldest of seven children and spent her childhood riding her horse, Old Dan, through the landscape of Ferron, Utah. Winifred attended Westminster college until the passing of her father in 1936, when she returned home to assist her mother with her siblings. She continued her studies at Brigham Young Academy where she gained her teaching certificate. Although the academy advised the newly graduated students not to teach in their home town, Winifred returned to Ferron to begin her teaching career. She loved the experience! One highlight was teaching her youngest brother, Thad Nelson, in the fourth grade and she often affectionately reflected on his comment to her, “Give us a kiss, Sis!” Winifred was a natural born teacher with an extreme passion and love for learning and for her students. Winifred lived a life of helping others and would spend her summers cooking for the ranch hands on her Aunt Sylva’s ranch in Meeker, Colorado where she met her husband, Volie Jackson Mahaffey. Volie courted Winifred for four years before she finally agreed to marry him. They were married in Steamboat Springs, Colorado on January 23, 1943. The couple was blessed with eight children: Jon Granville (Nancy), Brian Nelson (Susan), Janet Elaine (Dale Weldon) Abersold, Kevin Bruce (Jodie), Candace Alene (Ray W., deceased) Rozycke, Julie, Jessie Lynne (Kevin V.) Smith, and Allison (Phillip) Banks. Winifred paused her teaching career to raise her family until the passing of her husband on November 15, 1960. She returned to teaching and spent many years changing the lives of her students, always striving to foster a love of learning. Winifred was an incredible asset to Granite School District for 26 years, retiring in 1985. Following her retirement, she pursued many hobbies including travel and photography. Her inquisitive mind and keen eye for nature’s beauty were effortlessly reflected in her photographs. Winifred was a devoted protestant and active member of Wasatch Presbyterian Church where she was often found with a grandchild or two at her side. Winifred is survived by: her sister-in- law, Connie (Russell, deceased) Nelson; her youngest brother, Thad (Pat) Nelson; her eight children, twenty-seven grandchildren and sixty plus great-grandchildren. She is preceded in death by: her husband, Volie; her parents, Jesse and Jessie (Blackburn) Nelson; her siblings, Nadine (Eddie) New, Betty (Clell) Hooton, Jean (Bird) Draper, Andrew (Rosalie) Nelson, Russell Nelson; and her son in-law, Ray W. Rozycke. A viewing will be held on Friday, September 28, 2018, from 6-8 pm at Jenkins-Soffe Mortuary, on 4760 South State Street in Murray. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, September 29, 2018, at Wasatch Presbyterian Church, on 1626 South 1700 East, at 2:00 pm, with a viewing prior from 12:30-1:45 pm, followed by graveside services at Elysian Burial Gardens, on 1075 East 4580 South, Millcreek. Thank you to the staff at Legacy House in Taylorsville, the devoted caregivers, and all the professionals who cared for Winifred over the last few years. A special thank you to Winifred’s personal nurse, Lisie Cornish Hauser and her wife, Cori Hauser, for all the love, support and house calls. Share online condolences at www.jenkins-soffe.com.