Nancy (Johnson) Woodworth

Woodworth, Nancy (Johnson)  Born December 16, 1930, died peacefully February 10, 2020, in a perfect exit with all her kids nearby – just as she had wanted, although much later than she preferred.  

Nancy was born in Chicago and grew up in Highland Park, Illinois.  She attended Carleton College as an Art History major where she met Bob Woodworth, who won her over with his wit and sarcasm.  They married in 1952 and moved from Chicago to Pasadena, then Fort Worth, and eventually settled in Minnetonka in 1962 where Nancy lived until she moved to Meridian Manor in 2017.  Bob and Nancy’s was a special relationship – she loved to dance and he hated it; she loved cats and he tolerated them; she loved parties and he loathed them – and she won every time.  But above all they had a deep love for each other that lasted, and lasts, forever. 

Nancy was active in her community volunteering with PTA, United Way, and St. Luke’s Presbyterian Church, which led her to volunteer at Hopkins Nursing Home and turned into a full-time job as Activities Director.  She was a natural with her spark and vitality and the residents and staff adored her.  She managed to get permission to host a weekly “happy hour,” where residents could enjoy a cocktail and hors d’oeuvres, some socializing with others in the facility for the first time.

Nancy inherited her love of golf and gardening from her father.  She was modestly proud of her hole-in-one at Eden Prairie Golf Club and kept the scorecard in a prominent place on the fridge for all to admire.  But her biggest pride and joy was her garden on Fairlawn Drive.  Total strangers from surrounding neighborhoods would come by to see the fantastic display they had heard about from friends.  Well into her 70s she was still planting her annual borders of 1,500 impatiens or begonias, usually in a matter of two to three days.

Always a sun worshiper, Nancy loved the beach and fell in love with the Caribbean after she and Bob joined friends on a vacation to the Virgin Islands in 1968.  Antigua became their island of choice and after Bob passed away in 1990, she continued to do her annual January getaway to her little beach cottage at The Inn on English Harbour.

Nancy is survived by her children, Jill (Steve), Charleston, SC; Scott, Plymouth, MN; and Tracy (Paul), Salt Lake City, UT; and her grandchildren, Kelly, Rob and Maggie, along with nieces and nephews – all of whom she loved dearly.  The family thanks our friends at Meridian Manor for their kindness and care, and special thanks go out to the Interim Healthcare hospice team, who provided invaluable comfort and peace in mom’s final days.

A memorial service will be held later this spring for family and close friends.  Please no flowers, but instead plant something special in your own garden.  Nance would love that.

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