NANCY McNICHOL

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NANCY McNICHOL Nancy McNichol (Johnston) passed peacefully on Friday, April 12, 2002, at the Gladstone Hospital, surrounded by her children. Nancy Johnston was born in Glasgow Scotland on February 7, 1925, the third of five children of Andrew and Margaret Johnston, both from Ireland. She was 14 years of age when the Second World War broke out, and lived through the changes that war brought to those in Britain. During this time, while ice-skating at the Paisley Ice Rink in Glasgow, she met a handsome Canadian Corporal, Cliff McNichol. They were married on April 21, 1944, at Steven Memorial Church, Glasgow. In 1945 Nancy became one of the many War Brides who married Canadian Service Men, and came to Canada. She and Cliff moved to Grandview, MB for one year while Cliff apprenticed as a pharmacist. Over the next four years they lived in Winnipeg where Nancy enjoyed working at Eatons while Cliff finished his Pharmacy degree. After purchasing the Gladstone Pharmacy, they moved to Gladstone, where they lived and raised their family of three children, Heather, Sandra, and Drew. Her high level of community involvement included membership in the Gladstone Legion Ladies Auxiliary and the International Order of the Daughters of the Empire. She was a Life Member of the Gladstone Ladies Curling Club and was the founder and committed driver for the Gladstone Districts Meals On Wheels program for shut-ins. She was proud to be recognized for her support of the local library by having the first user number issued in her name. She was instrumental in the creation of the Gladstone District Museum and held an executive role in charge of acquisitions. Socially active in the community, Nancy enjoyed membership in three different bridge clubs and loved playing a well bid hand. For many years she supported drama in Gladstone by working behind the scenes to coordinate make-up for local productions. Although she missed the show out front, she loved artistically supporting the cast from backstage. She is well recognized in the area for her knitting mastery. Although she taught classes in the art, she felt most at ease when quietly knitting at home or sharing her skills in the company of friends. She was a lifetime member of the local group known as the Woolly Wizards who met monthly to share their knowledge on many different types of handwork such as needlepoint and knitting. Notwithstanding her many achievements, Nancys greatest love and commitment was for her family and many friends. She was very involved in her childrens lives and activities, and was a wonderful mother who was full of love and affection. She was also a ready instigator of fun and created magical relationships with each grandchild. Time gifted Nancy with many lifelong friendships. She treasured each one. Nancy was predeceased by her husband Cliff; her parents, Andrew and Margaret Johnston; her brothers, Johnny and Andy; and her sister Peggy. She is survived by her sister Violet Gray and family of McClure, BC. She is also survived by her children, Heather Brown, son-in-law John; grandchildren, Jonathan, Graeme, and Aaron; daughter Sandra McNichol, son-in-law David MacDonald; grandchildren, Gareth, Ashley and Leigha; son Drew McNichol, daughter-in-law Jane; grandchildren, Eden and Galen. A service to celebrate Nancys life will be held at 2:00 p.m., Tuesday April 16 in the Gladstone United Church with Rev. Blair Whyte officiating. Interment will follow in the Gladstone Cemetery. Nancys family would like to express their gratitude for the compassionate and outstanding care that she received from the nurses and doctors of Seven Regions Health Centre, Gladstone. In lieu of flowers, should friends so desire, donations in her memory may be made to the Manitoba Heart and Stroke Foundation, 301-352 Donald St., Winnipeg, MB, R3B 2H8 or to Central Plains Cancer Care Services, 318 Saskatchewan Ave. E., Portage la Prairie, MB, R1N 0K8. Clarkes Funeral Home, Gladstone in care of arrangements.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Apr 15, 2002