Nancy Arba Self

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Nancy Arba Self, she went to be with her Heavenly Father on February 25, 2026. Born in Flagstaff, Arizona, on November 27, 1934, Nancy was a native Arizonan. She spent her childhood at the Page Springs Fish Hatchery, Sliphers Ranch, and later Frey Ranch. There she married the love of her life, Clinton Allen Self, on November 14, 1953, after his return home from the Army, where he  served active duty in the Korean War. They were happily married for over 60 years before his passing.

Nancy attended Cornville and Clemenceau schools, graduating from Clemenceau High School in 1952. She later attended cosmetology school in Long Beach, California. Years later, she would use her skills to wash her grandkids' hair in the kitchen sink, and they all still swear to this day that she scrubbed their hair with her fingernails as hard as she could, a claim she would laugh about and adamantly deny!

Nancy was preceded in death by her parents, Theodore and Arba Frey, and her brothers, Karl and Martin Frey. She is survived by her brother Calvin Frey and family, as well as her daughter Karen Tavasci (Pat), her sons Keith Self (Cheri), and Bryan Self (Sharon), her 8 grandchildren, 23 great-grandchildren, and 2 great-great-grandchildren! She adored all the children and was a huge part of her grandkids' lives. Many sleepovers were had at her home with all the cousins, where she would read book after book before bed and cook many delicious meals, including her famous sugar cookies that still can't quite be replicated. She taught them all how to sew and imparted many other life skills.

During her life, Nancy held many roles. She worked at Pennmore Manufacturing in Cottonwood, AZ, making baby clothes for several years, and she often taught Sunday school. However, her primary role was that of a homemaker. She was an excellent wife, mother, and "Grammie”. She often hosted large groups of people, always with a smile on her face with an overabundance of food, and she never knew a stranger. Everyone was always welcome at her table, whether for a big holiday event or a small Sunday dinner. She took great joy in the simple things in life, like feeding her hummingbirds and tending to the beautiful flowers in her yard. She loved to laugh and taught all of us patience and grace. Her dear Hopi friend, whom we all called Aunt Ida, nick-named Nancy, Polik-mana, which means "Butterfly Maiden”, a perfect description of our Grammie. We will forever be grateful for the love and life lessons she gave us all. We are blessed with a treasured trove of memories we couldn't possibly begin to list.

Thank you to Sedona Winds and Maggie's Hospice Care for their excellent care and kindness in Nancy's last days.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to: www.houseofruthpregnancy.com or www.gideons.org

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Nancy Arba Self, please visit our floral store.