Nancy Avena

Nancy Elizabeth Avena, 78, of Idaho Falls, died March 7, 2024, at the home of a friend.

Nancy was born February 1, 1946, in Reno Nevada, or Walter and Gladas Chenoweth Glisson. They moved to Montgomery, Pennsylvania, about 8 months later. She attended grade school there. Then they moved to Broward, Florida, where Nancy went to secondary and high school.

She met Michael Avena, a Navy man, and they were married in 1964. Nancy was stationed in Japan twice. The first time she was the manager of the hobby shop. The second time she was much more adventurous and workers for the Berlioz School of Languages in Tokyo. This involved a bus ride to the train station that then took her to the Tokyo subway.

After returning to Idaho Falls she worked retail for a short time and then was hired at Argonne National Labs in 1978, until she retired.

She went on a European tour after retiring and went back to Germany to see her family there.

She was an avid knitter and worked at The Yarn Connection where she made many friends. She later worked at The Quilted Daisy. At that time she made friends that were very close to her. They did their best to get together every week.

In 2022, Nancy moved into MorningStar Senior living. Shortly after that she met Leroy White. They were a great pair. They were married on December 12, 2023. The years she spent with Leroy were the happiest of her life.

She is preceded in death by her parents; and her sister, Janet Robins.

She is survived by her nephew, Walter Robins and his wife, Alexandra; her grand-nephew, David Robbins; grand-niece, Michelle Robins; and great grand-nephews, Romeo and Neal.

A gathering for family and friends will be held from 3-5 p.m. on Tuesday, March 26, 2024, at Wood Funeral Home, 273 N. Ridge Avenue in Idaho Falls.

We would like to thank Enhabit Hospice for their care and support. A very special thank you to Tosha, our nurse for all she did and for her kindness. We looked forward to her daily visits.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the Bonneville Humane Society in Nancy’s name.

Condolences can be sent to the family at www.woodfuneralhome.com.