Nancy Garth

Nancy McCandless Garth passed away peacefully on June 2, 2024, sitting next to her beloved husband John of nearly 64 years at sunset in a courtyard at La Vida Llena, Albuquerque, NM.

Nancy Carolyn McCandless was born in Butler, PA on January 26, 1937 to Lee Norman McCandless and Gertrude Elizabeth Burns McCandless. When she was 16 months old, they moved to Grove City, PA, where she grew up.

She began playing the piano at age three, taught by her Aunt Irene and mother. She then started the violin. Music became her lifelong passion from a very young age, and she was proud of having perfect pitch. Her father, Lee, passed away when she was 8 years old, so she was raised by her single working mother. As an only child, she longed for family and belonging, which was later fulfilled by marrying John, raising children and grandchildren, and immersing herself in the lives of students, fellow musicians, and friends.

Nancy graduated from Grove City High School in 1955, after studying five (!) instruments: violin, piano, viola, flute, and voice. During high school, she participated in the PA All State Orchestra and started the viola at National Music Camp in Interlochen, MI. She then attended Oberlin Conservatory where she majored in music education and played in the college symphony and the Oberlin College Choir directed by Robert Fountain. Nancy graduated in 1959. She then went to the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign to get a Master of Music Education degree, which she completed in 1962.

At a church social she met John Campbell Garth, who she married on August 26, 1960. Her long, happy marriage to John was characterized by tenderness, companionship, music, travel, faith, and perseverance. Even in her last days, she would affirm to John, "I love you with all my heart!"

They briefly lived in Worcester, MA, but spent 28 years in Lincoln, MA followed by the last 29 years in Albuquerque, NM. Over the years they were active members of Urbana Presbyterian Church, the First Baptist Churches of Worcester and Lexington, Grace Chapel in Lexington, and Hoffmantown Church in Albuquerque.

Nancy started her lifelong music education career teaching in small rural schools in IL and then at Bancroft School in MA. However, she spent the bulk of her career running private violin and piano teaching studios in her homes in Lincoln and Albuquerque. For over 50 years she taught hundreds of young students Suzuki violin and piano. Besides teaching, she played the viola and violin in numerous chamber groups and local orchestras in IL, MA, and NM. Her last orchestras were the Albuquerque Philharmonic and Hoffmantown Church Orchestras.

Nancy was always a very capable administrator. Some of her more notable accomplishments included administering the 400-member Community Bible Study at Grace Chapel, managing the Lincoln Afterschool Music Program, and assisting with two different Christian symphonies in Boston and in Albuquerque.

She was also a very hands-on mother, supporting her children Lee and Lynn's various musical and academic endeavors. Her organizational skills, energy, and determination kept the household running smoothly. Every summer, the family split their time between visiting her mother and stepfather Floyd Elliott in Grove City and her beloved Chautauqua Institution and going to John's parents' summer home in East Marion, NY. Bermuda was another favorite travel destination.

Nancy wrestled with dementia the last ten years of her life, but was joyful, mischievous, and had kind words to say to everyone. She played her viola and violin until the very end. Nancy had a deep Christian faith her whole life, so we believe she is in heaven now.

Nancy is survived by her husband, John Garth; her two children, Lee Garth (Catherine Garth) and Lynn Chew (Peter Chew), and six grandchildren, James Garth, Viviane Garth, Hannah Garth, Samuel Garth, Jonathan Chew, and Sarah Chew.

A celebration of life will be held on Friday, June 14, 2024 at 1pm at Hoffmantown Church, 8888 Harper Rd NE, Albuquerque, NM. The service will be streamed, so check here closer to the day for the link.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Albuquerque Philharmonic Orchestra or the Ecumenical Community of Chautauqua.