Nadine Nibley
August 16, 1931 — January 20, 2013
Nadine Nibley
Provo/Ephraim
Nadine Monson Nibley,81, left this world effortlessly and peacefully on Sunday, January 20, 2013 in Provo. She was surrounded by the love of generations of her family.
Nadine was the oldest child of Alvin Eugene and Electa Smith Toone Monson, born August 16, 1931 in Provo. Some of her fondest memories were of growing up in the historic Chipman home on Main Street in American Fork, Utah. Nadine graduated from BYU in 1954 with a degree in music education and fulfilled a life of service as a faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She loved her Swiss-Austrian Mission, was steadfast as ward organist in any ward she lived in from her youth to her passing, and she felt fulfilled by her twenty years of work in the Manti Temple.
She was married to her beloved Richard Nibley in 1958. They celebrated in a triple wedding reception with her two sisters and their husbands, a coincidence of romantic timing that is still remarked upon today. Together she and Richard are the parents of the girls they called "the three graces," Lydia, Melissa, and Sylvia. She died celebrating the achievement of having created a close relationship with her family.
She was an important tradition-bearer in her community and family, and her love and appreciation for history has touched many. She was active in the Daughters of the Utah Pioneers (DUP) and numerous historic preservation initiatives in Sanpete County. She worked to save the original Salt Lake City ZCMI storefront, the Central Utah Arts Center, and Ephraim’s well-loved community center, the Co-op. Nadine helped to establish the Sanpete Historical Society, the legendary Mormon Miracle Pageant, the successful Scandinavian Festival, and the ongoing work of the Manti Destiny Committee.
She performed music all of her life and shared a passion for classical music with her late husband. She played in the Utah Valley Symphony and loved teaching music. She leaves hundreds of piano and violin students who learned to love and perform music with her guidance.
Nadine loved to travel to learn about history and to follow in the footsteps of her ancestors. She explored Switzerland, Sweden, Spain, Germany, Austria, Israel, and Canada. She cared so much about sharing history that her last act of service was to teach a DUP lesson on "pioneer pianos and organs" at a camp meeting, just prior to her death.
She loved painting and creating quilts and handwork that reflected the traditions she cherished.
She is survived by her daughters; grandchildren: Megan, Philip, Alex, and Liam; and great-grandson, Thomas; siblings: Calvin (Claudia) Monson, Mary Alice Briggs, Marlene (Dick) Wood, and Kenneth (Jolene) Monson;
She was preceded in death by her husband, parents and siblings, George and Linda.
Her niece, Karen Morgan, an experienced personal historian, is collecting stories of Nadine’s life, Richard Nibley’s life, and the family history. Thank you for sharing any of your reminiscences at
Funeral services will be held Thursday, January 24, 2013 at 11:00 a.m. in the Sunset Third Ward, 1090 West 1020 South in Provo, where friends may call from 9:30 -10:30 a.m. Burial will be in the Ephraim Park Cemetery at 3:30 p.m. Funeral Directors: magleby Mortuary, Richfield, Salina and Manti.