February 22, 1930 - May 11, 2024
In loving memory ~
Nancy Burr Weaver Mackay passed gently from this life to the next on Saturday, May 11, 2024, at Kootenay Lake Hospital, Nelson, BC. She was peaceful and surrounded by family and love.
Nancy lived 94 remarkable years. She was born in Schenectady, New York, February 22, 1930, to Burr Starbuck Weaver and Gladys Chute Matthews Weaver. She grew up in Scotia, NY, often enjoying summers in Wolfville, Nova Scotia.
From 1947 - 1951, Nancy attended McGill University in Montreal, receiving her BA in Arts in 1951 and meeting the love of her life, John Mackay. She was employed by General Electric from 1951 - 1953 while John attended Medical school. The day after his last Medical School exam, they were married, May 16, 1953. The newlyweds then moved to Detroit, Michigan for a year of internship prior to moving to Fruitvale BC, in 1954 where John served as the Village Doctor. John practiced family medicine in the Beaver Valley for several years, taking two time-outs for post-graduate studies in Internal Medicine - 2 years at the Lahey Clinic in Boston, Massachusetts (1957 - 1958), and 2 years at Queens University in Belfast, Ireland (1962 - 1964).
In 1964, the couple returned to Fruitvale and enjoyed raising their family in an idyllic neighborhood with lifelong friends. John practiced Internal Medicine in Trail. Nancy managed everything! John and Nancy retired in 1991. At this time, they moved to Longbeach, near Balfour. In 2012 they moved to Nelson, first to High Street Place, then to Lakeview Village and finally to Mountain Lake Senior Community, retaining the family home at "the lake".
Nancy & John were humbled to be named Citizen of the Year in Fruitvale in 1988 in recognition of their active participation and outstanding community service in the growth of the Beaver Valley.
Nancy was an artist, spinner and weaver, an avid reader involved in a wonderful book club, served as a Grand Friend at Redfish School, and was active in Grans to Grans. She worshipped in the Anglican Church and served as a Stephen's Minister, and as a faithful member of the St. John's (Fruitvale) and St. Michael's Guild (Balfour). She cherished sunrises and nature and had many joyful adventures skiing, hiking and canoeing with family and friends. Nancy was a woman of deep faith, abiding resilience, and strength.
Family and friends remember Nancy as kind, gentle and generous, a woman who took the time needed to listen and to support people to feel special and valued. She loved to have adventures, to stargaze and to try new things. She was a deeply loyal friend and correspondent, always searching for the right card, the right words. A curious lifelong learner, Nancy enjoyed Learning in Retirement courses and new discoveries. She loved looking things up and stretching her mind.
When she graduated from Scotia High School in 1947, her yearbook "Destiny" said she would be a hostel owner in the Swiss Alps. Nancy enjoyed travel, both in North America and internationally - including the Swiss Alps! Travel also included volunteering with Rotary International. Particular passions - Market Children and Safe Stoves initiatives. In 2019 Nancy and Mac received Lifetime Rotary Memberships.
And then there's music. Nancy played piano, especially Schumann, with a gentle touch. She enjoyed her harmonica, though not as compulsively as her husband. She, along with Mac, helped start the Second Winds Music Group, who continue to share musical joy weekly with Nelson community seniors. At age 80, she learned to play the guitar. Nancy, John and daughter Jane attended Fiddle Camp for 7 years in a row, accompanying lilting tunes with enthusiasm. She was a valued member of the Mountain Lake House Band, and almost always had a song in her head when she woke in the morning, humming it on her way to breakfast.
Nancy is survived by her daughter Jane (Andrew) and son Duncan (Tracey), 8 Grandchildren (Michael, Ian, Kieran, Annika, Charlie, Chelsea, Darin, Brent), 8 Great Grandchildren, extended family and countless friends.
Nancy will be greeted in the next life by her parents, beloved husband Mac (2020), son Ian (1977), many dear family members and friends.
Nancy's funeral will be at 1 pm, June 30, 2024, at St. Savior's Anglican Church (701 Ward St., Nelson).
This will be followed by a Celebration of both Nancy & her Husband, John Mackay's life in Nelson from 3 - 5 pm. Nancy requested donations in lieu of flowers to the charity of your choice.
Deep gratitude to the Team at Mountain Lake and to Dr. Lee MacKay and the KLH Team for their unfailing compassion, care, and kindness.
Nancy loved sunrises, light, clouds, and morning coffee. She showed us all how to live with style, resilience, generosity, grace and gentle kindness. And she made really good cookies.
For more information and to leave a message of condolence, please see Thompson's Funeral service website at https://www.thompsonfs.ca
Service Details
3:00 PM