Nancy Rae Beth Adams

Nancy Rae Beth Adams (nee Jones), professional harpist and educator, died December 3 at the age of 81 in Denver, Colorado. Born November 11, 1936 in Denver, she attended Denver South High School; the University of Colorado Boulder and Denver University where she received degrees in Education and Music. She graduated in 1958. Her musical talent earned her a scholarship to Julliard School of Music though she did not attend.

Nancy began playing the Irish harp when she was six years old and pursued the study of harp throughout her life. She performed with the Denver Symphony Orchestra, the Third Eye Theater, countless functions, venues and private events throughout Colorado. She also taught private harp lessons to many young students.

As a teacher, she taught first and second grades at University Park Elementary, Teller Elementary and other Denver Public schools, and also at Herzl Jewish Day school. She became so attached to her students that she tearfully lamented end of each school year, only to became immediately attached to her new class in the fall. She helped raise funds for a student needing eye surgery, and held private clothing drives for those in need. Her kind and generous spirit touched countless students throughout her teaching career from which she retired in 1999.

Daughter of the late Lloid and Juanita Jones, Nancy and her former husband, the late Richard R. Adams, had two children; the late Craig Alan Adams, and Jean Valerie Adams, who survives. She is also survived by daughter-in-law Rebecca Adams, six grandchildren Adele Hairgrove (Matthew), Jonathan Fowler, Lacy Adams, Anna Fowler, Benton Adams and John Adams; one great-grandson Frank Hairgrove; two brothers, Donald Jones of Washington, D.C., and Harrison Jones, of Albuquerque, New Mexico, and many extended family members.

A funeral service will be held at 11:00 on December 11 at St. Vincent De Paul church, where she was a member and provided harp music at services for many years. A Celebration of Life will follow at University Park Methodist church, where she worshiped as a child. Her remains will be interred along with those of her parents, Lloid and Juanita Jones, at University Park Methodist church.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to the Rockley Family Foundation. She was dearly loved by her family & will be deeply missed for her kind and generous spirit.


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