Nancy Lou Shaddox McLendon, 76, of Peñasco, NM, passed away Wednesday, October 4, after a brave journey through cancer. 

Nancy was born September 6, 1941, in Corpus Christi, Texas. She graduated from Ray High School in Corpus Christi and attended Texas A and I University and Stephen F. Austin State University. She held degrees in English, Art, and Special Education.  In the late 1960’s, Nancy settled with her family in Center, Texas. She taught school in Center, Texas and Shelbyville, Texas. She was a well-known artist in the area and enjoyed sharing her talents through art shows, watercolor lessons, and private commissions. 

During the summer of 1989, Nancy took a trip to explore New Mexico’s art and landscape. She met a local student in the community of Peñasco when she stopped to sketch the view. After learning she was a reading teacher, the young man shared that his reading teacher had just left. She applied for the position and was hired. That was the start of 28 years in the community she fell in love with on the High Road to Taos. 

In addition to exploring different art mediums, developing amazing relationships with friends, and teaching school, Nancy established her own small gallery, the Walking Woman Gallery, and participated in events such as Hersday at Art for the Heart, the organization founded by her beloved friend, Jean Nichols. Nancy loved and lived a life rich with culture and art in this community. 

Nancy Lou was preceded in death by her parents, Robert H. and Pearl Kathryne Shaddox. She is survived by her children, Robert Michael and Mary Beth Glass and Kathryne Noel and Daniel Olsen; grandchildren, Hannah and Lance Saunders, Teal and Tyler Morris, Emily Glass, and Raleigh Wilkins; and great-grandchildren, Aiden Wilkins, Kodi Kate Morris, and Collins Morris. 

At Nancy’s request, there will be no formal funeral service. In lieu of a service the family is planning a celebration tribute of her life and art.  It will be held at her studio during the High Road tour season in 2018. The family of Nancy Lou Shaddox McLendon has entrusted the care of their loved one to the DeVargas Funeral Home & Crematory of the Espanola Valley. 505-747-7477-www.devargasfuneral.com
 

https://www.devargasfuneral.com/notices/Nancy-ShaddoxMcLendon