Nita Lee Fenner

Nita Lee Fenner peacefully went to be with the Lord on September 30, 2020.  She was born June 5, 1928 at Christ Hospital in Cincinnati, Ohio.  In Ohio, Nita began piano lessons.  She attended Prairie Bible Institute in Three Hills, Alberta, Canada, where she studied Bible theology.  In the mid 1950’s she moved to California with her husband, Gene.  In Thousand Oaks, California she enjoyed many passions.  Nita taught piano to young students.  She began taking organ and voice lessons.  She also took classes in music composition and art.  She was a member of the Thousand Oaks Art Association and showed her paintings and collages.  One summer she held a Good News club for neighborhood children, sharing God’s Word and the teachings of Jesus.  Nita also became an avid swimmer.  In 1984 she won 2 gold medals in swimming, Freestyle and Backstroke, participating in the Senior Olympics at Pepperdine College.  She loved learning synchronized swimming.

Nita and Gene have loved Arizona since 1956 when they drove from Ohio to California.  They loved camping and taking camping vacations in their camper with their children, Rebecca and Matthew (deceased 1979).  They purchased property in the Chapache development in Alpine, Arizona in 1970 and built a kit log cabin.  They had a wonderful life there, where they assisted with the Alpine First Baptist Church and the Community Presbyterian Church of Springerville, Nita playing the piano, organ or singing in the choir and teaching Vacation Bible School in the summer.

After moving to Show Low, Nita was moved to be church accompanist for the White Mountain Methodist Church and Community Presbyterian Church of Pinetop.  She also loved singing soprano with the White Mountain Community Choir.

She is survived by her husband, (Homer) Gene Fenner; daughter Rebecca Johnson, grandsons Robert V. Flora and Todd M. Hunsaker; 6 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren.

So grateful to the amazing ER and hospital staff at the local Summit Hospital where she received loving and compassionate care. Our heartfelt thanks to Owens Livingston Mortuary for assisting with laying Mother to rest.

Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.