Nina Hoy

Nina Belle Crews Hoy, 88, of Cheyenne died peacefully at home on November 18, 2012, in the company of her loving family. She was born on March 23, 1924 to Lloyd and Lorella Crews in Cheyenne, where she lived most of her life. Nina Belle graduated from Cheyenne High School in 1942, standing second in her class. She attended the University of Wyoming for one year, then joined the Cadet Nursing Corps program that was created as part of the war effort. She graduated in 1946 with a nursing degree from Denver Children's Hospital. On February 21, 1947, Nina Belle married Theodore (Ted) Hoy. They met in high school while performing in musical productions. An accomplished pianist, she accompanied the high school Boys' Glee Club, of which Ted was a member. After their wedding, the couple lived in Laramie while Ted was a pharmacy student at UW. She remained there while he was recalled into the U.S. Navy during the Korean War, working as a nurse in the University Student Health Service. Their son, Jeff, was born in 1953 and they moved to Cheyenne in 1954 to start a pharmacy business in the Hoy family restaurant, The Maindiner. This business evolved into Hoy's Drug and Dairy Store, which remains in operation. In 1968, Nina Belle resumed her career as a school nurse with Laramie County School District No. 1. She started at Cole Elementary, and then six years later, transferred to McCormick Junior High School. She retired in 1989 after 21 years of service. Throughout much of that period, Nina Belle also helped manage the drug store business. When she wasn't busy raising a son, supporting the family business, and attending to public school children, Nina Belle was active in the community as a founding member and president of the Cheyenne Town and Country League. She also served on the initial board of the Cheyenne Symphony and Choral Society. An avid bridge player, she belonged to several Cheyenne bridge clubs. She enjoyed reading and traveling with her family. An animal-lover, she especially delighted in her pet dachshunds. Nina Belle was preceded in death by her parents and a sister, Ella Marie Hildreth. Surviving family members include her devoted husband of 65 years, Ted; their son, Jeff, and his wife Elizabeth; a sister, Clara Farquharson, all of Cheyenne; and two grandchildren, Christopher (and Aisling) Hoy of Leiden, The Netherlands, and Lauren Hoy of Washington, DC. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Cheyenne Symphony Orchestra Foundation. Cremation will take place under the auspices of Schrader Funeral Home. At her request, a private service will be held at a future date.