Nancy Winton

Madison, WI: Nancy Jean (Bockover) Winton (nee Christopher), age 94, left this world behind and went to be with her Lord and Savior on November 6th, 2024, after dying peacefully in her sleep at the Waunakee Valley nursing home. 

Nancy was passionate about family and food, and when asked what she was proud of, she replied: 

“Being the mother of five children, and a pretty good cook and baker.”

She will be remembered as a tower of strength, a tremendous source of love and attention, a true example of a person of faith and adamant believer in prayer, a befriender, and a woman with a contagious laugh that could put everyone with her in stitches.

In addition to both her first and second husbands, Nancy was preceded in death by her daughter Sandra (Steve) Kaltenberg, her sister Sharon Birkett and her brother Jerome Christopher. She is survived by her two sisters: Judith Voketz and Vicki Wonnacott; four of her five children: Sharon Bockover, Sally (William) Evans, Scott (Annette) Bockover and Sara (Michael) Bockover; 7 grandchildren: Angie (Jeff) Lackner, Rachel Espinoza, Kayla Kaltenberg, Brianna (Ryan) Schmitz, Brandon Bockover, Jakob Bockover and Franziska Bockover, and six great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

Nancy was born on July 23rd, 1930, in Aurora, IL to her parents David Leonard Christopher and Viola Edna Havert. In the eighth grade she came to know Walter Lee (“Duffy”) Bockover, a handsome and athletic young man, whom she described as, “not raised with a silver spoon in his mouth” but possessing great character. Duffy became quite enamored with Nancy and when her family moved away, a long-distance, touching stream of postal correspondence between the two ensued. In 1949 Nancy and Duffy were able to marry. They settled in and one year later started a family which over time increased in size from three to seven. 

When her husband joined the fast-growing International Business Machines (IBM), her outgoing, befriending manner served her well each time her husband was transferred. To get the growing family established in a new environment, Nancy played a decisive role by finding a local church community to join and reaching out to new neighbors. In 1962 the Bockover family relocated to Madison, WI, which became their permanent home base. 

While Nancy was at home with her children, she volunteered at the organization of International Wives from the UW Madison and hosted gatherings with women from all over the world. She had a talent for helping strangers feel welcome in their new environment and relished the intellectual stimulation coming from contact with people of different cultures.

After all her children were finally in school or had left home, Nancy desired to work outside the house, and with mixed feelings, Duffy supported this decision. She chose the nursing profession and received her degree from Madison General Hospital School of Nursing. Two years into her schooling, Duffy died unexpectedly. 

Amazingly, Nancy did graduate and began working as a surgical nurse, then moved on to join a private medical practice in Madison where she remained for 11 years. She enjoyed time with her children, taking them camping, to UW Hockey games, on day trips to local places of interest, to concerts, the movies and the theater. Nancy knew how to transform a small house into a beautiful home, which became a welcoming haven for friends, neighbors and family. 

Shortly before leaving the medical practice she worked at, Nancy met Hamilton Winton, whom she married in 1987. In 1992 Hamilton passed away, and Nancy redefined her life yet again. She spent the following years intensifying friendships, attending church and bible studies, spending much time with her family and travelling, spreading her good energy and love to many people who were deeply touched by her along the way. Later in life she met a very special man named Bill, who became her close companion. The two of them were fortunate to share several joyful years together.

Nancy became a founding member of the organization SAIL (Sharing Active Independent Lives) doing promotional work and volunteering as a driver to get seniors to and from their appointments. She also volunteered in a program of the UW Madison School of Pharmacy, giving students the chance to interview her, hear her insights as a retired nurse and senior citizen, and helping them gain patient-experience. And throughout her life, Nancy was a dedicated volunteer at the churches she attended and prayed faithfully for the missionaries associated with InterVarsity Christian Fellowship. She was always looking for ways to serve God by being an ambassador for him to the people she encountered.

We wish to express our tremendous appreciation to those employees of Oregon Manor and Waunakee Valley nursing homes that showed our mother the loving care and attention she deserved. 

Above all, we wish to thank the members of Agrace that provided our mother with outstanding hospice care and were of unforgettable support to us in these last two years. In lieu of flowers please consider a remembrance donation in memory of Nancy Winton to:

Agrace Foundation

5395 E. Cheryl Parkway

Madison, WI 53711

https://www.agrace.org/donate/donate-today/

A celebration of her life will be held for the immediate family. 

“Who can find a virtuous woman? For her price is far above rubies. The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil. She will do him good, and not evil, all the days of her life. [. . . ]. She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth food to her household [. . .]. She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy. [. . . ]. Strength and honor are her clothing, and she shall rejoice in time to come. [. . .]. Her children rise up, and call her blessed . . . . Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all. [. . . ]. Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her own works praise her in the gates.” - Excerpts from the book of Proverbs, Chapter 31.