Nancy Gabby

Nancy was born Feb. 28, 1947, in Spokane, to Donald Lee and Betty Jean (Cressey) Taylor. She passed into the loving arms of her Lord and Savior at home, surrounded by family, Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2026. When Nancy was 5 years old, they moved to Lewiston where she spent the rest of her childhood and teenage years graduating from Lewiston High School in 1965. From her seventh grade year at Sacajawea Junior High School all through her senior year at Lewiston High School, she was always part of the cheerleading squads except for the eighth grade when she was a majorette. Twirling a baton was not her forte.

After high school, she enrolled at the University of Idaho in Moscow where she was a member of the Gamma Phi Beta sorority and continued her cheerleading career as a member of the Vandal cheer team. She graduated in 1969 with a degree in education. Thus began a teaching career that spanned 41 years. Beginning at Centennial in Lewiston, she also taught at Kamiah and in the Edmonds School District in Lynnwood, Wash., finishing her career at Camelot in Lewiston. While teaching at Oak Heights Elementary in the Edmonds district, she was named teacher of the year. The Edmonds district was one of the largest in the Seattle area.

The fall of 2004 began a new chapter in Nancy’s life when she and her high school and college sweetheart began communicating again. It turned out to be love at second sight. Nancy and Chuck Gabby were married on July 2, 2005. At their 40th high school class reunion, they were the most recently married couple. Nancy and Chuck bought a home in Clarkston in 2006 and thus began a wonderful 21 years in the Lewiston-Clarkston Valley. They were active members of Congo-Pres Church in Lewiston and part of a small study group associated with their church. Nancy devoted many years as a member of Chapter BR of PEO working to help young women improve themselves with scholarships in higher education. She also enjoyed the new friends she made with a book club and her Friday lunch group. Health issues beginning in 2024 forced her to curtail many of her activities, much to her dismay.

Family was very important to Nancy. Gatherings for Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter were a common occurrence. Her tables were always a showpiece with her China and silver settings. While Chuck was busy roasting the turkey, prime rib or ham, Nancy was busy with everything else to make the meal complete. She also enjoyed dinners out with special friends celebrating birthdays and other special occasions.

Nancy was preceded in death by her parents, Lee and Betty and her sister, Diana Baker. She is survived by her husband of 21 years, Chuck; her children, Bryan Reed, of Bothel, Wash., and Shelley Reed, of Everett, WA; her grandchildren Lincoln, Kenzie, Leo and Cyrus; her sister Dawn Eldridge; her stepchildren Ty Gabby and Rob Gabby, both of Boise; and her step-grandchildren Grace, Jaxson, Brylee and Zayden.

Nancy leaves behind a legacy of faith, love, friendship, education, generosity and joy. She will be remembered for the lives she touched, the students she taught, the young women she encouraged, the friendships she treasured, the love she gave so freely and the most beautiful smile that could light up a room.

Rest in peace, my love.

A celebration of life will be held Saturday, Oct. 10, at River City Church, 2102 Eighth St., Lewiston, with a reception to follow at the Clarkston Holiday Inn, 700 Port Drive, Clarkston. Cremation has taken place and Nancy will be interred at Lewis-Clark Memorial Gardens in the Lewiston Orchards.

Vassar-Rawls Funeral Home of Lewiston is in charge of arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, contributions are welcome at Congregational Presbyterian Church in Lewiston and to the BR Chapter of PEO for scholarships.

Times of services and reception to follow later.