Nancy Ellen Shankweiler

NANCY ELLEN (BRAND) SHANKWEILER

Nancy Ellen (Brand) Shankweiler passed away peacefully at Grace Assisted Living in Boise, Idaho, on Wednesday, April 3, 2024, surrounded by her loved ones from Idaho and Alabama.

Born September 5, 1932, at Pearl Harbor Hospital on the island of Oahu, Hawaii, to Madlyne (Litzparske) and Lieutenant Colonel Henry Kistner Brand. Nancy attended William Smith High School in Aurora, Colorado, and the Goodman School of Drama in Chicago, Illinois, where she met her husband for life, Dr. William Shankweiler. They were married in 1955 and soon after moved to Boise, Idaho, where they quickly became pillars of the community, involved in numerous activities, charities, boards, and organizations throughout the Treasure Valley.

In her 91 years of life, Nancy was known for her boundless energy, counting amongst her many accomplishments: President of Boise Little Theater (1986-1988), chair of the B.L.T. Scholarship Committee, Boise Distinguished Citizen (February, 1976), the first woman named to the Idaho State Fair Board (1978), president’s member of the Boise Music Week Senior Board, board member of the Miss Boise Pageant, president and Woman of the Year of Beta Sigma Phi, president of the Boise Choristers, and twice president of the Boise Lady Lions Club. She was also a Sierra Club member, animal lover, model, singer, writer, award-winning actor and director - leading productions well into her 80s - and most importantly mom, grandma, and great-grandma.

Nancy and Bill were avid chefs and actively participated in online cooking forums from the earliest days of social media, sharing recipes and cooking advice with friends from around the world. In addition, Nancy loved books and movies, especially novels by Stephen King and Dean Koontz and a breadth of science fiction and fantasy films. As Nancy’s family expanded from Boise to Alabama and California, she enjoyed traveling often to spend time with her loved ones. 

Nancy is survived by daughters: Susan St. Clair (Nick) of New Market, Alabama, and Leslie Cuthbertson (Scott) of Boise, Idaho; granddaughters: Teresa (Chris), Nichole (Brian), Christina (Phillip), Jennifer, and Jessica; great-grandchildren: Christopher, Anna, Davis, Benjamin, and Evelyn; and nieces: Marion Shankweiler-Nicholson and Kathy Rainey.

There is no public memorial service planned. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Nancy’s favorite organizations: 

Boise Little Theater: https://boiselittletheater.org/supportbyshopping/

Boise Music Week: https://boisemusicweek.org/donate/

Please visit Facebook for pictures and memories: https://www.facebook.com/nancy.shankweiler

The family would like to extend sincere thanks to Grace Assisted Living and Enhabit Hospice Care for making Nancy’s final days so peaceful.