Nina Moir West Guy, a much-loved resident of Mathews, Virginia, passed away peacefully on March 25, 2025, held close by her family. The daughter of the late Francis Thornton West and Nina Moir West, Nina grew up in Martinsville, Virginia. After graduating from Mary Baldwin College, she built a life filled with love, family, and adventure. Nina was predeceased by her husband, James Mayo “Pete” Guy, and her sister, Suzanne West Guy (Louis). She leaves behind a legacy of love in her daughters, Grace Lowery Guy Van Buskirk (Daniel) and Nina Penn Guy Smith (Matthew). Nina embraced many roles in her life, but none more cherished than “Nini” to her four adored grandchildren: Peter Walsh Van Buskirk, Grace Lowery Van Buskirk, Jackson Garland Smith, and her namesake: Nina Moir Smith. Her memory will also be treasured by her siblings, Francis Thornton West Jr. (Katherine) and Wysor West Gearhart (William), and eight nieces and nephews: James Thornton Guy, Louis Lee Guy III, Francis West Guy, Katherine Finley West, Francis Thornton West III, Suzanne Penn West Clark, William Chandler Gearhart, and Bentley Wysor Gearhart Dorn.

Nina’s vibrant personality and sense of humor made her the life of any gathering. She approached every aspect of life with enthusiasm and dedication. In addition to her devotion as an Army wife and mother, Nina’s commitment to her community was evident in her active involvement with her church, Kingston Parish. Nina also spent countless hours volunteering at the Gloucester Mathews Care Clinic, Fort Eustis Thrift Shop, and Hands Across Mathews. Volunteering brought her immense joy. Nina’s passion for travel led her to all seven continents, and whether with Pete, her family, friends, or her girls and grandchildren, each trip was guaranteed to be an adventure—sometimes seasoned with a bit of danger. Pete and Nina lived in 11 different cities throughout their 58-year marriage, and each one brought lifelong friends. Nina and Pete formed an exceptional partnership, navigating parenting, hosting, and bridge. Their lives were interwoven with shared passions: the water, their beloved schnauzers, cheering for the Redskins, and the thrill of Jeopardy. A shared competitive spirit fueled their bridge success, with Nina achieving Bronze Life Master in 2015, just a year after Pete. Above all, Nina was known for her unwavering positivity and devotion to her family and friends, and she will be deeply missed.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, May 17, at 11 a.m. at Christ Church, Williams Wharf Road, Mathews, and followed by a reception at the Parish House. To honor her memory, in lieu of flowers, the family asks that contributions be made to Kingston Parish, 370 Main Street, Mathews, Virginia 23109.