Nancy (Harelson) Dow |
| Posted 2011-07-03 by Judy Wight Branson |
| The Prescott Daily Courier, Prescott, Arizona Sunday, June 11, 2006 Nancy Harelson Dow was born in Kansas City, Mo., on October 26, 1915, to C.L. (Roy) and Francis Gilbert Harelson. The young family moved out west to Arizona when Nancy was two years old. Roy Harelson was a palomino horse breeder who owned Harelson's Stables at 43rd and Northern in Glendale. There Nancy developed a love for horses and riding at a very early age. Every year in the Rose Bowl Parade, on a stunning silver saddle, her father rode his favorite horse, Playboy, whom Palomino horse lovers remember today. A huge painting of Roy on Playboy hangs in a bed and breakfast in Skull Valley. The Harelson family also sold hay and had grapefruit and orange orchards. The family would ride the train from Glendale to spend a couple of the hottest weeks of the summer in a little house near downtown Prescott. Upon her graduation from Glendale Union High School in 1933, Nancy discovered one of the great loves of her life - The University of Arizona! There she continued her riding, especially trail rides in the Catalina foothills, but also competitive riding, including jumping and Roman riding. Nancy earned many honors at the U of A. She was President of Mortar Board, Best Sportswoman, member of Desert Riders, a member of Delta Gamma Sorority, culminating with the freeman Medal, Outstanding Woman Graduate in 1937. Nancy graduated with a degree in physical education. After college, she taught riding at Hacienda del Sol, then a private girl's school in the Catalina foothills, today a resort. She taught PE in Flagstaff for a short time, then returned to her beloved desert of the Phoenix area. Nancy took a job in the growing war effort at Litchfield Airfield where she met a handsome young Lieutenant in pilot training, Herbert V. Dow. Lt. Dow was at Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. Like many other young soldiers preparing to ship out, Herb and Nancy courted only a few months before they married on July 3, 1943, at St. Phillips of the Hills Church in Tucson. From London, Captain Dow flew 35 missions in a B-17 over France and Germany in 1944. Captain Dow instilled a fierce loyalty in his bombardier group, who swore they would never fly with any other pilot. They believe, even today, that only Captain Dow could have gotten them home safely, even though many times it was on the wings of prayer. Nancy lived during the war years near Herb's family in Lincoln, Neb., and it was also during those years that their son, Steven Hugh Dow, was born. While Herb's family welcomed Nancy and the babies with open arms, Nancy was happy to escape those Nebraska winters and return to Tucson, then Phoenix following the war. Nancy taught P.E. at Alhambra and North Phoenix High Schools, substitute taught for several years and completed her master's degree. She and her husband loved many sports and were avid supporters of the Arizona Wildcats, attending hundreds of games and functions for many years. The extended family includes many U of A graduates. Colonel Dow retired from his flying career with the Arizona National Guard and died in 1984. Following her husband's death, Nancy volunteered at the Heard Museum, immersing herself in the history and art of the Southwest. She also enjoyed volunteering at Arizona Highways, where her beloved baby brother, Hugh Harelson, was the esteemed publisher for 15 years Hugh preceded Nancy in death in 1998 Surviving Nancy are Hugh's wife, Jan Harelson of Phoenix and their two sons and families, Matt and Julie Harelson of Carlsbad, Calif, and Scott and Marisa Harelson of Phoenix. They brought much joy to Aunt Nancy when they lived nearby in Phoenix. Other survivors are her brother, Judge Gilbert Harelson; his wife, Henrietta, of La Jolla, Calif. and their children and families, Chris and Jan Henderson of San Diego, and Craig and Karen Harelson of Huntintington Beach, Calif. Herb’s sister Helen Cariotto and her children John and Penny Cariotto and Stan and Mary Garbacz live in Lincoln, Neb. Nancy's son, Dr. Steven Hugh Dow and his wife, Janeth, live in Prescott. Grandson Dr. Tristian Dow and his wife, Chelsea, with Nancy's first great-grandson, Emerson, live in San Antonio. Grandson Cameron Dow and his wife, Amie, live in Ames, Iowa, where they attend veterinary school. Daughter Judy Dunn lives in Fort Collins, Colo. Grandson Brian Dunn is a pilot for Airtrans, currently on active duty with U.S. Army. Nancy was especially proud of her three grandsons. For memorial gifts, the family has selected the Women's Plaza of Honor at The University of Arizona. Donations may be sent to the University of Arizona Foundation/Women's Plaza, 1443 East 1st Street, P.O. Box 210403, Tucson, Ariz., 85721-0403 The Hampton Funeral Home was entrusted with the arrangements. Information provided by survivors. |
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