Nadyne Connaughton

Nadyne Connaughton passed away peacefully at The Gables assisted living on May 7, 2023 at the age of 94.

Lois Nadyne Walker was born to Russell Curwen Walker and Ethel Elizabeth Fugate Walker on December 9, 1928 at Hailey, Idaho. She lived in Hailey until November 1930 when she and her family moved to Arco, Idaho and her father opened the Ford garage there. Later in the early 1940's he started a Gamble's store which later became a Western Auto store. Her younger brother Russell Curwen Walker Jr. was born in 1932. The family lived in an apartment above the Western Auto store on Main Street (Grand Avenue) in Arco.

Nadyne went through the Arco school system, graduating from Arco High School in 1946. She attended the College of Idaho in Caldwell, graduating in 1950 with a B.A. degree in Education. Nadyne was a teacher at Notus High School for one year and for three years at Butte High School in Arco.

During the early 1950's, Arco was a booming town due to the new AEC site (now INL) which was under construction on the desert. It was during this time that Nadyne met Joe Connaughton, who was working on the site as a construction foreman for Mountain Bell telephone company. They were married on October 11, 1953 at her parent's home in Arco.

The couple lived in Arco until Nadyne finished the school year in 1954. When Joe and his crew were sent to work in other towns, she followed him. They spent time in Truth or Consequences, New Mexico; West Yellowstone, Montana; Evanston, Wyoming; and many other towns in Eastern Idaho. They moved to Pocatello in 1957 and bought a home the following year. Their son John Russell Connaughton was born in 1959. Nadyne became a stay at home mom. Joe died in 1993 after an eight-year battle with prostate cancer.

Nadyne was very involved in the Order of the Eastern Star. She is a 76-year member beginning in 1947 belonging to Friendship Chapter #37, Harmony Chapter #44, and Radiant Chapter #61 in Pocatello. She served two terms as Worthy Matron in Radiant Chapter. She belongs to the Social Order of the Beauceant, Iras Temple #40, Zora Club#3, Daughters of the Nile, and the First United Methodist church. Nadyne came from a very Masonic oriented family as her father Russell C Walker was a Mason for many years. He served as Past Master of Arco Lodge #48 and Grand Master of Masons in Idaho 1969-1970. Her mother Ethel Walker was a Past Matron of Friendship Chapter #37 and was a member of O.E.S. for over 60 years.

Mom loved to read books, play bridge, pinochle and work on various puzzles. Her passion was making intricate counted cross-stitch pictures which she devoted countless hours and produced many very beautiful pieces. She also planted a small garden each year and enjoyed the fresh produce. She was very independent and lived on her own until March 23rd when a heart attack put her in the hospital at the age of 94. She was a very generous person giving thousands of dollars a year to many charities including; Idaho Food Bank, Idaho Public TV, Idaho Youth Ranch, Salvation Army, Methodist Church, College of Idaho, Disabled American Veterans, AARP, to name a few. She never spent money on herself, but did everything for others, especially her appreciative son. She lived in the same home I grew up in for 65 years. I recently talked mom into replacing her original 1950's refrigerator with a new one, as it was finally starting to fail. They don't make things to last like that anymore. Mom didn't like change. She lived a simple life. She was a very honest, intelligent, caring, generous, moral person.

Nadyne was preceded in death by her parents, Russell C. and Ethel F. Walker; her husband Joseph F. Connaughton; her nephew Scott Walker; and just recently in February, her brother Russell C. Walker Jr. She is survived by her son John Russell Connaughton (Sheri) of Pocatello; nephews Mark Walker (Darci) and Mike Walker of Lewiston; five great nieces, a great nephew, and three great-grand nieces.

Our family would like to thank Heritage Hospice and The Gables assisted living for great care of mom these last few weeks.

Funeral service will be on Friday, May 19th 2023 at 2:00pm with visitation one hour prior at the First United Methodist Church; 200 N 15th Ave Pocatello, Idaho. Interment to follow at Mountain View Cemetery.

Condolences may be sent to the family online at www.cornelisonfh.com
208-232-0542

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