Nancy Heritage Lindsay

Phoenix – Nancy Lindsay died peacefully on June 27, 2023 from complications related to Alzheimer’s. Nancy Bernice Heritage was born on June 2, 1936, in Hollandale, Mississippi. Following early years growing up with her grandparents and extended family, the Heritage family moved to Greenville. Nancy worked while excelling in school and earned both an associate’s degree in Junior College and a bachelor’s degree from Millsaps College in Jackson, MS.

Nancy met her future husband, Marshall Lindsay in Greenville. They delayed their marriage while Marshall served as a Methodist missionary in Cuba. Upon his return, they married in 1961 and began postings in small churches in northern Alabama. Nancy’s quiet endearing southern charm may have provided a balance to the head-strong Yankee husband in the small southern towns. They welcomed a son, Howell in 1962 and sadly, lost a second son, George Thomas days after birth.

They moved west – eventually to Arizona in 1967, beginning 33 years of service in various United Methodist Churches in Arizona. Their third child, Leigh Ann was born in 1969 while in Tucson. Nancy’s upbringing and dedication to the church were strong, but little did she know that she would play a key role in their various appointments. Nancy provided many supporting efforts, while giving parsonages her own personal touch, raising two kids, entertaining and helping or planning many church events. The two of them started new congregations of Dayspring UMC in Tempe and Sun Lakes, UMC where they retired in 1999. While in active ministry and into retirement, Nancy gave of her time to serve the conference by volunteering and serving on several boards and committees.

Nancy found her own creative gifts and busied herself with many hobbies, crafts and creative pursuits both inside and outside the home. She also enjoyed using and developing these talents along with her professional skills in the Tempe Elementary Schools District Office, where she retired in 1999. She developed an eye for design, maintained a strong sense of style and paid attention to the small details in decorating, cooking, and entertaining that made every effort special. In retirement, Nancy delighted in being able to spend time with grandchildren on vacations, craft projects, sleep-overs, baking, visits to museums, and special visits.

Nancy is survived by two kids: son, Howell (Margaret); daughter Leigh Ann Brecheisen (T.J.); and, grandchildren Danielle Lindsay, Lane and Hayden Brecheisen. She is also survived by her sister Betty Jane Holt and brother Albert Heritage who both reside in Texas, and many nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her parents, Thomas and Bernice Heritage, husband, Marshall, son, George Thomas and grandson, Cole Brecheisen.

A celebration of Nancy’s life will be held on Tuesday, July 18th at 10 a.m. at Paradise Valley United Methodist Church, 4455 E. Lincoln Dr., Paradise Valley. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorials be made to either United Methodist Outreach Ministries or Paradise Valley UMC.