Shortly after visits from each of her five children, Nancy McEntire Cotro-Manes returned to her Heavenly Father on Sunday, January 22, 2023. She was 86 years old.
Nancy was born to William Godfrey Peterson and Ruth Agnes Phillips on December 16, 1936. She grew up in Salt Lake City, Utah, where she was both an active girl and “Tom boy.” She took dance lessons as a young girl, but also loved playing baseball and football with her brother, Phil, and his friends.
Nancy attended Oquirrh Elementary, Bryant Junior High and West High School. She was accepted into and graduated from the nursing program at Brigham Young University. She then worked as a nurse for the Student Health Clinic at the University of Utah.
Nancy met her husband, Dr. Jim McEntire, while in a speech class in junior high. The two became great friends, and were married in the Salt Lake Temple on May 31, 1960, after Jim returned from the North Central States Mission. They were blessed to have five children and enjoyed various vacations together as a family. She adored her grandchildren and could often be found reciting nursery rhymes to them.
Nancy and Jim’s motto was “Always room for one more.” Several individuals and families from around the world benefited from their hospitality, including nieces, foster sons, exchange students, and humanitarian refugees to a new state.
Music and performing were an integral part of Nancy’s life. She loved to sing and performed in the choir at BYU, ward choirs, the Jay Welch Chorale, and performed in various plays including The Sound of Music, Hello Dolly, and The Pirates of Penzance.
The gospel of Jesus Christ was important to Nancy, and she served in various callings in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Primary, Young Women’s, Relief Society, and in various missions including Temple Square. She also loved to work on family history, genealogy, and temple work.
Nancy was preceded in death by her parents, and her brothers Richard and Phil. She was also preceded in death by her husband Jim (who died at age 57), her second husband Paul Cotro-Manes, and her granddaughter Jessica. She is survived by her birth-children Stephen, John, David, Becky and Tom, their spouses, 24 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren, and all others who were adopted in her heart.
The family expresses appreciation to the staff of The Lodge at Riverton, the hospice nurses, and the Copperview 10th Branch Relief Society for their love and care in her final weeks.
Her viewing will be held on Saturday, January 28, 2023, at 10:00 am at Larkin Sunset Gardens, 1950 East Dimple Dell Road (10600 South) Sandy, Utah. Funeral services will follow at 11:00 am at the same location. To watch services online or to share a favorite memory of Nancy please visit www.larkincares.com.
To watch the recorded services, please click on the blue "Watch Services" button above. This link will be active for 30 days after the services.
Nancy was always so kind and gracious in her acceptance of others. My cousin, James, was so blessed: with her help, in raising a family unto the Lord in righteousness. Very fond memory of a small military vehicle that James and Eldon kept in working order for rides “around the avenues”. RIP ALAN and SHELLY
Much love to all of the family of Nancy Peterson McEntire.....She was a loving sister -in-law. Nancy lived in Stadium Village while her first husband “ Jim” was going to medical school... we lived there at the same time and became good friends.... She even took one of my daughters as her own when her brother and I went through a sad divorce! She will always be special to me. May her memory be ETERNAL! From Aunt Reinje
Nancy and her husband Jim McEntire were neighbors in the 1980's. They were so kind and supportive of my handicapped son, Brook. After Jim passed away I lost track of Nancy, then after many years we got together again. We visited her home for dinner in Sandy and talked regularly but then she just disappeared. I searched and tried to communicate with her but could not get a connection, even on Facebook. Then I found this obituary by accident while looking for another. She and Jim were such great people with a great family. I am saddened by this unexpected event, and wish her family all the best.
We will remember the love and blessing your parents have been to us. Rest in peace in your great rewards.
Dear McEntire family,
I am sorry to hear of the passing of your dear mother, although I know she is in a wonderful place, among many beloved family members and friends. I have fond memories of dinners and activities with the McEntire family, including baseball games as adopted members of the family, because Dr. Jim was the team doctor on duty at the game. I remember when your dad brought some of you to my home for piano lessons, and my neighbor across the street recognized him, because he was her paperboy when she lived on the avenues. I am certainly not surprised that your mother continued to sing and enjoy and share music to the end of her life well-lived.
May you all be comforted at this time with a sure knowledge borne to you by the Spirit that you will be reunited in a glorious place in the future.
We have very fun memories of Nancy and Jim. We had a study group together for many years. Jim and my husband John served in the same mission. I can’t believe that Jim has been gone for 30 years. We lost contact with Nancy after that but then we’re able to visit her And the assisted-living. And we’re there for her marriage. We were with them at time when they had all of their children and through the illness with Jim. We look forward to seeing them again. Love, John and Nancy McMurray.