Nancy passed away peacefully on Tuesday May 30th with her children by her side. Nancy arrived in Ottawa from London, Ontario in 1965 to begin her 33-year career in education with the Ottawa Board of Education. She loved her students and her colleagues, many of whom became life-long friends. She also met the love of her life and future husband, Rob Dunlop.
Nancy and Robbie loved creating and hosting celebrations and events, too many to list and too improbable to describe (Burns Day, Boxing Day, Carve-o-Rama, The Preakness Hat Party, Thanksgiving dinners, etc). Nancy absolutely loved a party and always tried to make it perfect for her guests.
Nancy loved her summers in Grand Bend as well as the nightly sunset ritual with her Oakwood family. She was never daunted by the long drive to Grand Bend, always making good time regardless of how terrifying it might have been for her passengers and other drivers! She loved chatting with friends, gardening, antiquing and refinishing furniture and she was exceptionally handy.
Nancy loved playing, watching and betting on sports. She was a fierce competitor, whether it was basketball, golf, curling, cards or any other type of contest. She also loved books, history, travelling and had many exciting adventures abroad with friends.
She valued her friendships greatly and she was incredibly thoughtful. She always remembered important occasions and made many beautiful photo albums and scrapbooks for her friends.
She was strong, hard-working, fiercely independent, and very successful in her career at the OBE, starting as a teacher and then progressing to department head and Vice-Principal. She was known for her toughness and that was true both in her work life and in the way in which she dealt with her health challenges, a true fighter right up until the end.
Nancy was predeceased by her loving husband and lifelong companion Robbie and is survived by her children Marie (Ronan), Warren (Lena), and her granddaughter Quinn, along with her beloved step-children: Jane, Bruce (Thandie), Margo (Kevin), Jill (Mark), and her grandkids: Annick & Alex, Ben, Lee-Ann & Anisha, Kimmy & Becky, Glen & Lee.
Friends are invited to visit the Beechwood National Memorial Centre, 280 Beechwood Ave. on Saturday June 10th. A visitation will be held at 9 am, followed by a Memorial Service at 10 am and a reception from 11 am to 1 pm.
A celebration of Nancy's life will continue at Tooth and Nail Brewing Company at 3 Irving Ave, Ottawa, from 7 pm onwards.
Donations can be made to the May Court Hospice in Nancy's Memory.
Livre de visiteurs
Rick TUTT
Cecily O'Connor
I have known Nancy almost all my life. I will always remember her vitality and humor.
Clare kenny
How we will miss her golf cart buzzing down to the beach for sunset and her wry sense of humour
Richard Walsh
Warren & Marie
So Sad to learn of Nancy's Passing. She was such a joy to be around & a very special good friend. We know that she and Robbie will be united once again. May they rest together in peace
Susan Dolan
I met Nancy when my husband ( Biff Dolan ) was a teacher at Highland Park High School. She was lovely - so full of life, kind and caring - a wonderful person to know !
RIP dear Nancy with your dear Rob at your side.
Mary Lou Kingsbury
I was so saddened to read the news of Nancy in the paper yesterday. We had been friends since 1965 when we started at Hillcrest together and I introduced her to the world of curling. To her great amusement, we were the only women in the teachers’ curling league and got in as part of Jack Casseley’s team, signing up using our initials so no one knew our first names (a dead giveaway) and by then it was too late! We were known as ‘the girls’ team’ thereafter even when Robbie and, my husband, Warren joined us and the league had welcomed other female players. We enjoyed going out to dinner with them every Tuesday night during curling season. The highlight was when the four of us won the League.
After we retired, we only saw each other sporadically but when we did, it was as though no time had passed.
I use to tease her that she had Marie on my birthday and named her son, Warren. Her birthday was just a day before my Warren’s and Robbie and I would often plan a celebration.
It is a comfort to know that she has joined her beloved Robbie. I will miss her. Please accept my condolences on your great loss.
Mary Lou Kingsbury
Stirling Kenny
Marie and Warren, you know how much we shall miss Nancy’s infectious laugh . In spite of all of the recent setbacks she has had with her health, we never once heard her complain. We are in NYC this weekend to celebrate the 60 th. anniversary of Clare’s graduation from Manhattanville in Purchase New York., This is an event that had been planned for many months., or we would of course be with both of you tomorrow We just spoke with Brent and Mark who are en route to Ottawa for tomorrows service .
Hardial & Joginder Kandola
Warren and Marie, we are saddened to hear about your Mom’s passing. We are thankful that we had the opportunity to spend time with her over the Christmas holidays this past year. We will always remind Quinn of the great memories she made with her Gaga, especially their cherished time together in Grand Bend. Quinn always came back to the GTA with stories about her Gaga and the special bond that they shared.
Please accept our deepest condolences - Nancy will be missed by all who knew and loved her.
Hardial & Joginder Kandola
Stephany & David lothian
Nancy will always be valued as a true friend- to all ages, to those who had only a few days a year with her and by those with her everyday. Her smile, kindness and spunk will live on in the many whose lives she touched.
Melanie Tod
I am so sorry to hear of the passing of Nancy. I had hoped and expected to enjoy her company again in the ‘hood as I move back to where I met her. Marie and Warren, you may not remember me but I babysat you at night for years. And Mr Purr. Nancy and I kept in touch over the years as neighbours. I was always glad of our chats on one lawn or another.
I will always remember Nancy most fondly and deeply in my heart. She will be missed.
Rest, Nancy. We’ve got the watch.
The best cousin ever. So many wonderful memories of a decent and good person. Rest in peace Nanc.