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NANCELYN ROSS With heavy hearts, we wish to announce the unexpected passing of Nancelyn Ross (nee Wirth) on Sunday, April 8, 2018 at the St. Boniface Hospital in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Nancelyn is survived by her husband of 53 years, Stan, sons Andrew (Nikita) and Douglas (Deborah), grandson Lennon, brother John Wirth, sister-in-law Gladys Wirth, and numerous nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her parents, John and Freda, brother Doug Wirth, and sister-in-law Mary Wirth. Born in Winnipeg on February 13, 1940, Nancelyn graduated from Kelvin High School in 1957 and the University of North Dakota in 1961, attaining her Bachelor of Education in Science. Her teaching degree represented her well on several subjects before she gravitated towards teaching physical education. She worked at several schools in Winnipeg before ultimately becoming a fixture in the gymnasium at Carpathia School. Towards the end of her career, she moved into working with special needs students at Laura Secord School. Taking this experience one step further, Nancelyn finalized her career at the University of Manitoba guiding future teachers through the intricacies of working with special needs children. Always active, Nancelyn put her retirement time after 1992 to good use. Her extra-curricular activities over time included coaching soccer, painting (with the Norman Art Group most recently), becoming certified as a registered parliamentarian and taking tai-chi lessons. She was a member of the Junior League of Winnipeg in her earlier life and the Manitoba Masters Swim Club later in life. Nancelyn's dedication to charitable organization, the Daughters of the Nile, was second only to that shown towards family. A member for 48 years, she worked through the ranks to become Winnipeg Sphinx Temple Queen in 1989 to 1990 and then North America Supreme Queen (International President) in 2002 to 2003. That year saw her chair a 2,800-delegate convention that took over the Winnipeg Convention Centre for a week. Then she was off to every province and US state over the next eight months. Approximately 144 'sister' temples and 22 Shriner orthopedic and burn hospitals for children were visited with Nancelyn being the pre-eminent ambassador elected to represent the wonderful charitable work performed by the Daughters of the Nile. An athlete all her life, Nancelyn excelled in several sports, but especially in swimming. She came close to making the 1956 Olympic swimming team. Dozens of children learned to swim confidently thanks to her instruction in this area. In retirement, she pushed herself to various Manitoba and Canadian records for her age grouping(s). Spending almost as much time in the water as on land, it is almost not surprising that the stroke that ultimately felled her occurred while she was in, of all places, a competitive swim race. Foremost, Nancelyn was a dedicated wife and mother. Unfailingly, she would comfort and assist any family member regarding any distress or crisis faced. Her wonderful demeanor allowed her to make friends out of strangers effortlessly. The Ross family will fondly remember the quality of the times spent out at West Hawk Lake with her. Hiking, running, canoeing and, of course, swimming filled her summer days at this special place. A funeral service will take place on Wednesday, April 18, 2018 at 1:00 p.m. at Neil Bardal Funeral Centre, 3030 Notre Dame Avenue (across from Brookside Cemetery). The family wishes to thank Dr. Brudney and the St. Boniface ICU nurses for the wonderful care provided in Nancelyn's final days. Lastly, Nancelyn's favourite charities included the Daughters of the Nile Canadian Trust Foundation (www.donctf.ca) and the Heart and Stroke Foundation if any are so inclined to donate in her memory. She would also smile if you supported an animal shelter of your choosing. NEIL BARDAL FUNERAL CENTRE 204-949-2200 neilbardalinc.com
Publish Date: Apr 14, 2018
NANCELYN ROSS 1940 - 2018 With heavy hearts we announce the passing of Nancelyn Ross on Sunday, April 8, 2018, at the St. Boniface Hospital. A funeral service will take place on Wednesday, April 18, 2018 at 1:00 p.m. at Neil Bardal Funeral Centre, 3030 Notre Dame Avenue (across from Brookside Cemetery). A longer notice will follow in Saturday's paper. NEIL BARDAL FUNERAL CENTRE 204-949-2200 neilbardalinc.com
Publish Date: Apr 11, 2018
As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Apr 14, 2018
Condolences & Memories (4 entries)
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Andrew Very sorry to hear of the loss of your mother. She was a great lady I remember fondly the rides she gave us to and from soccer and how she was always talking about the importance of good physical fitness. Godspeed to you and your family Derek - Posted by: DEREK ROLSTONE (OLD CHARLESWOOD FRIEND ) on: May 28, 2018
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Nancelyns was the best of all goodness in the world rolled into one special human being. She didn’t have a mean bone in her body and would never say anything negative about someone to anyone else. She was Full of Grace and Dignity. Nancelyn was my mother-in-law but mostly she was my best friend. With Nancelyn’s help I was privileged to know Ann Simpson, another gem that has passed. We had many visits together which I will always treasure. Nancelyn and I had many long walks and talks, cooking together, painting together and going to various events together. Not least of all, her most beloved, Daughters of the Nile, which I joined about 3 years ago. She was a wonderful artist, drawing and painting beautiful scenes of nature and wildlife, never thinking she was good enough, but she was amazing and I told her often. But my favourite time with Nancelyn was “lake time”. She commanded the cabin and surrounding property so seamlessly. Planting beautiful flowers every spring, she would spend hours outside tending to the flower beds. Occasionally she’d stick in some plastic ones and make me guess which ones were real.... Occasionally I’d provide the right answer. Family meant everything to her. Christmas, Easter, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, and Birthdays were always a family affair with a big homemade dinner, homemade pie or scones for desert, the latter which she had to hide from Andrew so he wouldn’t eat them BEFORE dinner. The funniest thing I ever saw her do was one summer on the dock out by the water. Being quite used to a certain degree of privacy, we were a bit dismayed one particularly “populated” summer when a catamaran sailed up to within 15 feet of our dock, which we were sunning ourselves on; and the 6 or 7 people on it were looking at us as though we were monkeys in a cage. Nancelyn wasted no time in voicing (not quite loud enough for them to hear) I CAN’T SEE YOU as she turned herself around and faced the cabin instead of the water. ... they chose to motor onward after that. Nancelyn I love you and you will live on in my heart for all of eternity. .. - Posted by: Nikita Ross (Daughter-in-law) on: May 03, 2018
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Our Deepest Sympathy goes out to the Ross and Wirth families. Our thoughts, prayers and love are with you! - Posted by: Janet & Bruce Anderson (Friends) on: Apr 11, 2018
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We offer our most sincere condolences to the family. Nancelyn always had a warm welcoming smile for everyone at the pool. Her grace and beauty as a swimmer and friend will be remembered always. - Posted by: Sally and Paul Boulding (Friends from Masters Swimming) on: Apr 11, 2018
