Nancy Flewellen

In Loving Memory of Mrs. Nancy Leona "Nana" Flewellen
April 1, 1939 - October 3, 2025

It is with both sorrow and celebration that we announce the passing of Mrs. Nancy Leona "Nana" Flewellen, who peacefully departed this life on October 3, 2025, in Chandler, Arizona, after several years living with dementia.

Nancy was born on April 1, 1939, in American Township, California, the third daughter of the late Guy Myron and Catherine Mason Dunning. She shared a close bond with her seven sisters, especially her sister Della, who was just a year younger than her-so close, in fact, that she waited to start elementary school until Della could join her.

In 1958, Nancy married Lewis Ray Flewellen. They made their home near family in rural Lodi, California, where they welcomed two sons, Steven Lewis and Ronald James Flewellen. In December 1966, they moved to Chandler, Arizona-a change Nancy eagerly embraced, joking that they were finally getting away from "where everyone knew your business."

Throughout her life, Nancy worked for various companies, but her favorite job was working in the deli at Bashas' grocery store in Chandler. After retirement, she and Lewis moved to Clay Springs, Arizona, and later to Taylor, where Lewis passed away in August 2008. They were fortunate to have many wonderful neighbors both in Chandler and in the White Mountains.

Nancy loved tending her small orchard in Taylor, where she grew apples, oranges, and strawberries. Her gardening advice for a great strawberry patch was simple: "Leave them alone."

As a grandmother, Nancy found joy in sewing and made countless quilts for her family. A sewing machine was a permanent fixture in her home, and she was known for her cozy, handcrafted Ragtime quilts. She also made the best chocolate chip cookies-her secret ingredient was Bisquick-and always kept extra cookie dough in the freezer, just in case. Her legendary ham and turkey gravy recipes have been passed down through generations and continue to be cherished by her children and grandchildren.

Nancy loved playing card games like Canasta, 7-Up, and Solitaire, and she was famously hard to beat. We all suspected she had found a way to cheat-just a little-because Nana rarely lost.

Nancy is survived by her son, Ronald Flewellen; daughters-in-law Jana Flewellen and Jill Flewellen; and their families. She is also survived by her sisters Mervilyn Fox, Nita Samp, and Gina Howe; eleven grandchildren; and twenty-two great-grandchildren. She will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Lewis; her son Steve Flewellen; and daughter-in-law Sandy Flewellen; her parents, Guy and Catherine Dunning; her brothers Charles "Chuck" and Robert "Jim" Dunning; her sisters Rosalie Long, Della Giesey, Phyllis Keller, and Janet "Sue" Spencer.