BY JENNY GOLDSBERRY

Motherhood can tend to be a thankless job. This past year, moms have been asked to step up more than ever. Some became schoolteachers for their kids who were sent home by school districts. Others devoted themselves to deep cleaning and sanitization. Some did it all while working from home. Even empty-nester mothers found themselves hosting their children once again.

At Roy Connection Magazine, we’re starting an annual tradition to salute the city’s extraordinary mothers during Mother’s Day month. Our hope is that by honoring one mother a year, mothers everywhere, living and deceased, will be revered. Thanks to all those nominations that were sent in; it was very tough to choose between amazing mothers. We’re starting this tradition with Nancy Blair, who became a widow mother this year.

TO MY MOTHER
By Edgar Allen Poe
Because I feel that, in the Heavens above,
The angels, whispering to one another,
Can find, among their burning terms of love,
None so devotional as that of “Mother,”
Therefore by that dear name I long have called you–
You who are more than mother unto me,
And fill my heart of hearts, where Death installed you
In setting my Virginia’s spirit free.
My mother–my own mother, who died early,
Was but the mother of myself; but you
Are mother to the one I loved so dearly,
And thus are dearer than the mother I knew
By that infinity with which my wife
Was dearer to my soul than its soul-life.

About Nancy:

Nancy was born in Logan but found herself living with family members in Weber County at seven years old. Her own mother passed away, so her extended family raised her. She married her husband, and their first home was by the Roy City building. The home they lived in for 50 years was by the municipal park. Together they had four girls and three boys, the oldest sister being 60 years old and the youngest brother being 42 years old. All seven graduated high school. As she raised her family, she created a supplemental income by starting a daycare from her home. Her daughter, Diane Gilmore, had this to say about her:

“Nancy has lived in Roy for over 60 years and, just days ago, lost her husband of 61 years. Nancy is a mother to seven children, 19 grandchildren, and one great granddaughter. Nancy tended kids in her home for over 50 years. Too many kids to count spent their first few years in life being loved and cared for in Nancy’s home; she truly was a mother to hundreds. Even though Nancy is 80, she does not slow down, and she would drop everything to help a neighbor or friend in need. She truly deserves to be recognized.”

Dad of the Year Nominations
Father’s Day is around the corner! Nominate your dad for our Dad of the Year Issue next month!