Nancy Trevino

Nancy Trevino, 65, died on Wednesday February 14, 2018 in Holladay, UT after a long struggle with Alzheimer’s disease. She was born August 23, 1952 to John and Helen Trevino in Rupert, Idaho shortly after her twin sister Norma. She was the fifth of seven children. She had a happy childhood growing up in Rupert. She married Sidney Poulton and on June 16, 1970, they welcomed their daughter, Christina Mae. Nancy lived in Pocatello for the next four years and was an attentive, young mother to Christina. Nancy and her daughter moved back to Rupert to live with Nancy’s parents for a short time after her divorce and then moved to Salt Lake City in 1975 where she lived for the rest of her life.

Education was very important to Nancy and undaunted by being a single mother, she attended LDS Business College where she received her Bookkeeping Certificate. In 1976, Nancy was hired to work at the University of Utah in the Admissions Office as a Freshman Admissions Counselor. This position enabled her to take classes part-time at the University of Utah. In 1989, she earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology with a minor in Criminology. She continued her education and earned her Masters of Education Degree in Educational Psychology in 1991.

Nancy continued to work in the Admissions Office throughout this time. Her supervisors recognized that she was a smart, reliable, and committed employee, She earned promotions from Counselor, to Freshman Admissions Supervisor, to Office manager, and then to Associate Director of Admissions. After she completed her Master’s Degree, she earned another promotion to Senior Associate Director of Admissions. She was proud of her accomplishments and loved her job. She served on many University Committees and was a member of the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers (AACRAO) as well as the Pacific Chapter (PACRAO) and the Utah Chapter (UACRAO) of the organization. She attended national and regional conferences and served as the Treasurer, Vice President, and President of UACRAO. Her favorite part of her work was helping students and their families as they began their college careers. She was loyal to the “U” and worked in the Admissions Office for 36 years.

While her education and professional accomplishments were important to her, the most important role in Nancy’s life was being a mother. She always made sure Christina was taken care of and loved. She would take Christina and her friends in her yellow VW bug to U of U football and basketball games, happily allowed sleepover birthday parties in their one-bedroom apartment (imagine 12 giggling girls all crammed into the space), and made sure Christina was in dance classes, band, and whatever else she wanted to do at each stage of life. She somehow found resources for her to go to Mexico with her Spanish class in 9th grade and did everything she could to make sure Christina had all she need to grow and thrive. In 2002, Christina paid her back by giving her mom the title she loved most — Grandmother or as she liked to be called Amatxi. Nancy adored her grandchildren Elaia and Xanti. She believed strongly that grandchildren were meant to be spoiled and spoil she did. She took them to ice cream regularly, bought them toys and books, and even took them to Disneyland. She loved them and loved being their Amatxi more than anything.

Nancy also enjoyed learning about, celebrating, and teaching others about her Basque heritage. She was very involved in the Utah Basque Club, serving as their secretary from 1988-1993. She made sure Christina was well versed in Basque Culture by getting her involved in the club’s folk dance group and she was a dedicated “dance mom” following the group on their travels throughout the western US to various Basque festivals. Later she served the North American Basque Organization (NABO) as their secretary from 2004-2009 and served as the NABO Representative for the Utah Basque Club from 2004-2012. She loved being involved in NABO and cherished the many friendships she made with people from all over the world through this organization.

Nancy was a lover of romance and fun. She had an amazing collection of sappy love songs and romance movies. She was always ready for a party, shopping, going to a movie, or dinner as long as the people she loved were with her. She went to antique shows and U of U gymnastics meets with her sister-in-law, Karen, she shopped with her daughter, sisters and nieces, she always made sure her grandkids went to the newest Disney movies, and loved to go to dinner with friends and family. She was a brilliant gift-giver and spoiler of all she loved. She was the best friend, mentor, aunt, sister, daughter, mother, and grandmother anyone could ask for! She has been missed by many in the last years of her life as she battled with her disease. We will miss and love her forever! Goian bego Amatxu. Maite zaitugu.

Nancy is survived by her daughter, Christina; son-in-law, Dominic; and her grandchildren, Elaia and Xanti. She is survived by her sisters, Norma (Victor) Claridge and Donna (Layne) Harper; as well as brothers, Richard, Allen (Diane), and John (Debbi) Trevino; and sister-in-law, Tori Trevino. She is also survived by many beloved nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, her beloved eldest sister, Lidia Allen; her sister-in-law and dear friend, Karen Trevino; her brother-in-law, Richard Allen; and her nephew, Gary Trevino.

Special thanks to all of the staff at The Abbington in Holladay and especially Jessica, Gloria, Kim, Lauren, and Amanda, as well as all of the memory care aides for their tender care of Nancy over this past year. Your support of our entire family will never be forgotten. Thanks also to the nurses at CNS hospice for helping make her final moments more peaceful and comfortable. We also thank the staff at The Neighborhood House in Cottonwood for their care.

To celebrate Nancy’s life, friends and family can visit on April 27th from 5:00-6:30 pm with a memorial at 6:30 pm at Holbrook Mortuary, 3251 South 2300 East, Millcreek, UT. There will also be a memorial service in Rupert, ID at the Rupert West Stake Center, 26 S 100 W Rupert, ID on April 28th at 1:00 pm and a graveside prayer immediately following at the Minidoka, Acequia, Rupert Cemetery, 450 North Meridian Road, Rupert, ID. In lieu of flowers, please make donations in Nancy’s name to the Utah Basque Club c/o Catherine Barajas, 2323 Green Street, Salt Lake City, UT 84106