Yesterday was the 30th anniversary of the day my sister Nanci, her husband Roger and their friend Leif died in a car accident on their way to the Alpine Loop. The day is still so clear in my mind, as well as lots of the details of the next week. Nanci was only 19 and Roger was 26. I forget how old Leif was. Nanci was driving with the permit that she'd had for exactly one month and she somehow crossed the center line on a two lane highway, sideswiping two vehicles from the oncoming traffic. That sent her vehicle (a VW bug, no seatbelts) out of control onto the two passenger side wheels. The car then veered back into oncoming traffic where it was hit by a pickup truck and the VW ended up on the hood of the pickup, finally coming to rest in the roadway. Luckily, nobody in any of the other vehicles was hurt, but all three occupants of my sister's car were killed. There was a dog on the floor of the back seat that also survived, with head injuries. He belonged to Leif. This was one of the worst experiences of my life but it also brought out the best in people. Through this tragedy I became close to Roger's mother, Wilma Marcus, who I have spoken about on another blog. She now lies in the same cemetery plot in the Salt Lake Cemetery as Nanci and Roger.
Roger was Jewish, and the funeral was Jewish. Therefore, we were not allowed any mention of Jesus Christ at the funeral, and we were forbidden to dedicate the graves. We did go back later in the day and dedicated both graves amyway. Nanci would have wanted that. Even though she wasn't active LDS at the time of her death, she did have a testimony of Jesus Christ as her Savior.
The Priesthood that was held by my friend Susan's father,Vern Brady, Ken Wright (a friend of ours and Nanci's former Bishop), Don and Don's brother who attended the funeral was very comforting to us. I'm sure there were other Priesthood members there that day but I can't remember who anymore.
Anyway, even though 30 years have passed, Nanci, Roger and Leif have never been forgotten. I'm grateful to have had Nanci as my sister. In the intervening years, most of us in my family have been sealed together. That is so wonderful.
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2 comments:
Pat,
I am so touched that you mentioned my father--It makes me feel very emotional. He loved you and was so happy to be able to help dedicate Nancy's grave. I think he felt like you were his daughter, too, while you were my roommate at BYU and so far away from home. I didn't remember the exact date of Nancy's accident, but just yesterday i was telling my friend, Marilee, about it. I must have known somewhere in my heart that it was a significant day yesterday. I love you and I'm thinking of you.
Hi Pat, wow, what a sad day that must have been. I remember you telling me about it. Now we just need to see some pictures.
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