Nancy B. Trevithick

Nancy was born in Barrington, Ill on May 13, 1934 to Francis Lovell and Hattie Alberta Bennett. She and her twin brother John were the last of eight Bennett children born to Francis and Alberta. Nancy was preceded in death by her parents and her seven siblings; Donald, Frances, William, Leslie, Robert, and John.

Nancy graduated from Northern Illinois University in May of 1957. With a degree in elementary education. She saw a posting on a bulletin board in the education building that School District 60, in Pueblo Colorado was hiring teachers! She and her friend Amy loaded up Amy’s car with all their belongings and headed to Colorado. They arrived in Pueblo just in time to watch the State Fair Parade go through town. Nancy joked that she thought the parade was just to welcome them to Pueblo.

Nancy taught first grade at Benjamin Franklin Elementary School. In Pueblo, she found where she belonged! She made many friends through teaching. There were several new hires to the district that year and Nancy hosted many “pay day” parties for fellow young, single teachers. It was at one of these parties on Halloween of 1957, that Nancy met Harold Trevithick, a young wood shop teacher at Central High School.

Harold came from a family of 11 children and the large Trevithick clan embraced Nancy with open arms. Harold and Nancy Married in Pueblo on December 19, 1958. Nancy became an integral part of the Trevithicks. Many of her sister-in-laws became some of her closest friends. She organized family dinners and was the favorite aunt of many of the young nieces and nephews. Nancy was always up for fun!

On January 10, 1962, Harold and Nancy had their first daughter Shelby Ann. Their son, Robert Scott was born the following year on January 27, 1963. And their last child, Carrie Lynn, was born on June 27,1968.

When Shelby was born, Nancy stopped teaching to be a stay-at-home mother. Nancy poured herself into her family. Having lost her own mother at a young age and not ever really experiencing an idyllic childhood, Nancy worked hard to provide Harold, Shelby, Rob and Carrie with a loving, peaceful and fun-loving home.

Time spent together as a family was a priority! During the winter time, evenings were spent playing board games on a card table set up in front of the fireplace or relaxing all together watching a TV show. In the summertime, Harold and Nancy would gather up their family to take bike rides together. Often, summer evenings were spent playing horseshoes on the playground of Jefferson Elementary School across the street from their home and/or relaxing on the front lawn having popcorn with their close neighbors, Etta and Joe Klovas.

Friends and family were always welcome at Nancy and Harold’s home. Many an evening was spent around their large dining room table, that Harold had made when he was a teenager for his own mother, or outside in the driveway under their carport. Harold and Nancy were a great team. They always prepared and served the meal together.

Meals together were important to Harold and Nancy. In today’s society, families are lucky if they get one meal a day together. Harold and Nancy’s young family ate breakfast, lunch and dinner together everyday – It was one of the benefits of living across the street from their kids’ elementary school.

Harold and Nancy were very active members of Faith United Methodist Church. Nancy was the Sunday School secretary for many years. When Faith United faded away because of declining membership, Harold and Nancy were leaders in helping to start SonRise United Methodist Church in Pueblo West. They took great pride in being founding members of SonRise.

In their early retirement years, Nancy and Harold babysat their granddaughters Brittani, Brooke and Bailey Trevithick. Nancy found much joy and satisfaction in helping to care for her grandchildren. She was proud of the difference she made in their young lives.

Harold experienced several health issues in his 60’s and 70’s. Nancy was by his side through them all. In November of 2009 Harold suffered pancreatitis. He never really fully recovered from that and Nancy progressively took on more and more the role of being a caregiver. They continued to live in their house until April of 2012 when they sold their beloved home of over 50 years, at 421 Henry Ave. , and moved in with their son Rob in Pueblo West.

A few months later, Harold passed away on August 8, 2012. Nancy continued to live with Rob and on May 13, 2014 – Her 80th birthday, she had open heart surgery. It was due to this surgery and recovery period that they moved to Longmont to be close to Carrie. Although Nancy missed Pueblo, she seemed to be content in Longmont. During her time in Longmont Nancy got to have several meals with family and go for many rides in Carrie’s VW Beetle convertible (which she loved); It was during this period of time that six of Nancy’s seven great grandchildren were born. She got to enjoy lots of time with Rob’s granddaughter Maddi Rose and the highschool years of her grandsons CJ and Ryan.

In August of 2019, Nancy fell and broke her right hip. She had emergency surgery to repair the break and went into a nursing facility for rehab. Although she was back home for a brief few weeks, Nancy never fully recovered from the broken hip and was readmitted to the nursing home.

Nancy lived the remaining almost three years of her life in the nursing facility. She was visited almost daily by her children and grandchildren – when they were permitted. She endured the terrible loneliness of the Covid restrictions. It was during the Covid restriction period that she lost a lot of weight and she was put on Hospice care. Thankfully, being in Hospice allowed her to have family visits again. Nancy was well loved by the nursing home staff ! She was definitely one of their favorites! She was known for her congeniality, sweet smile, giggle, and funny comments.

Nancy is greatly missed by her family. Her legacy lives on through her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. She was a beloved daughter, wife, mother, grandmother and friend.

Nancy is survived by her daughter Shelby (Kevin) Pickerill of Limon, son Rob Trevithick (Paula) of Longmont, daughter Carrie (John) Shellenberger of Longmont, grandchildren; Krysten (Cody) Fox, Adam Pickerill, Brittani Trevithick, Brooke (Jett) Johnson, Bailey (Matthan) Gruzinski, Craig Shellenberger, and Ryan Shellenberger. Great grandchildren; Olivia and Arabella Pickerill, Maddi Roberts, Harper, Hunter, Piper and Archer Fox.