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.
Digital Guestbook
Garry and Anne Guzzo
John LeBrun, Math Department, Hillcrest
Nancy and I began our Teaching Careers at Hillcrest H.S. (me 1 year later). Nancy resided on Kennelworth and my route to My School then was down that street - I always "tooted" Marie as she waited for the School Bus to pick her up. By that time, I had drifted off to other teaching venues - the gang held in our whole teaching careers. A Great Group to work with!
Garry and I were saddened to see the notice of Nancy’s death..
Memories came flooding back of long ago when we knew Nancy and Rob. There were fun times at their home, usually centered around some sporting event—-pre Stanley Cup, where Garry says he is still recovering from the “fixed” player selection for the pool, set up and organized by Warren! And then the parties for the Kentucky Derby, the Preakness,etc.SOO much fun!
Nancy was an absolutely delightful, smart and interesting woman.. Garry recalls that she was a fierce advocate for students in difficulty.
We sympathize with all her loved ones, who will miss her presence in their lives. May all the memories of all the wonderful family times be comforting!
Sincerely, Garry and Anne Guzzo