We Remember

WOODWORTH, Nancy

February 23, 1920 — December 13, 2018

Nancy was born in Vancouver, BC to Charles and Violet Bruce, Canadians from Scotland. Older brother Charlie (now deceased) and Nancy enjoyed strong debates with their father who valued well-constructed “discussion – not argument.” Having learned to “carve each word from the air,” Nancy thrived in the UBC Players Club, starring as Elizabeth in Pride and Prejudice and other productions that toured BC. After her UBC degree in English, Nancy trained at Normal School as a teacher. She taught high school in Oliver, BC where she met John Woodworth. They corresponded through his World War II service as an Air Force pilot. Nancy returned to Vancouver for her mother’s final illness and worked as a CBC Radio actress and writer. Her parents died within six months of each other while her brother was still serving overseas as an Air Force navigator.

In June 1946, Nancy married John Woodworth. Their daughters Robin and Carol were born in Vancouver, BC where John graduated from UBC Architecture School. In 1954, John persuaded Nancy to move their young family to Kelowna, BC. Nancy helped John in his architecture firm, choosing colours for many local buildings. She wrote CBC radio plays, the Sultan of Simul-Ka-Meen pageant for the Kelowna Regatta, Christmas pantomimes and funny skits for the University Womens’ club. After raising her family, Nancy taught English at the new Okanagan College. She helped build community organizations. The many friends Nancy and John gathered around them have enriched all our lives. After John’s death in 2012, Nancy continued to live in their peaceful home above the lake with help from a remarkable care team we thank again here.

Nancy died December 13, 2018 in her home, after loving visits with family and friends and a last caregiver tree trimming party. She is survived by daughter Robin (Bob), grandsons Mike (Erin), Dan (Allen) plus great-grandchildren Emily and Sarah; and daughter Carol (Luc), grandchildren Jeanie (Mark), Heather (Cam) and Robert and their father, Bruce, plus great-grandchildren Fergus and Nina.

At 2 p.m. April 20, 2019, Nancy’s Celebration of Life will be held at Springfield Funeral Home, 2020 Springfield Road, Kelowna, BC. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Central Okanagan Community Foodbank, www.cofoodbank.com. If you wish to send a condolence, post photos or share a memory, please scroll down the page to the area called “Share Your Condolences.”

THIS SERVICE WILL BE LIVE STREAMED/BROADCAST on Saturday, April 20, 2019 at 2:00 pm.

Service
Saturday, April 20, 2019 at 2:00 pm

Location
Springfield Funeral Home

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In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Central Okanagan Community Foodbank Link: www.cofoodbank.com

 


Service Information

Service Details


The service for WOODWORTH, Nancy is scheduled for Saturday, April 20, 2019 at 2:00 pm. Below you will find the map for the service location and the contact information should you have any questions.

Address & Contact for Service Location:

Springfield Funeral Home

2020 Springfield Rd. Kelowna, BC

Phone:


Special Requests:

None.


Funeral Pointers:

 


Condolences

  • Bruce Davies, Central Okanagan Foundation says:

    Dear Carol & Robin, I feel so very fortunate to have gotten to know you and your wonderful Mom in recent years. My Christmas time visits were always a highlight of the holiday season for me. She was a true community builder and will be greatly missed. Thinking of you and your family, Bruce Davies

  • Bitten and Jim tisdale says:

    What a gracious lady to have as a neighbour! She was always interested in what you were doing when I would pop in to see her. She was so appreciative of being able to live and stay in her lovely home with the amazing care given to her by her team of care givers. Years ago she shared an angel food cake recipe that became our favourite family birthday cake, we will remember Nancy with fondness.
    Sincerely Bitten and family

  • Anne Kirkpatrick, Okanagan College Foundation says:

    Nancy and John were committed to education and have provided numerous awards to our students at Okanagan College for over ten years. Their legacy will continue to support deserving students well in to the future. How blessed you are to have such wonderful parents.

  • Evelyn Cornelissen says:

    Dear Carol and Robin, We have fond memories of both of your parents. When we first moved into the neighbourhood, we were delighted to hear the stories about your parents, and what they did for Kelowna and for our community. We enjoyed seeing them when they still went for walks, and engaging with your Mom at neighbourhood gatherings over the years. She was always full of interesting stories and was keen to hear about what we were up to. We are happy she was able to stay in their beautiful home until the end. We are sorry for your loss.

  • Ron and Pat Reiter says:

    Dear Robin and Carol – We moved here with the family of 3 boys to Poplar Point in 1972 and John’s Architectural firm was behind the design. We all fell in love with the view and the area. Over the years we got to know John and Nancy as neighbours had lots of laughs with John in his gardening and also with Nancy over tea. We are deeply sorry for your loss. Nancy was always welcoming when I dropped in to see her occasionally and she was a great lady. We will miss her. We really meant to be at her funeral today, but got muddled and thought it was tomorrow. Our fondest thoughts, nevertheless, are with you both.
    Sincerely Pat and Ron

  • Mary Lou Johnson says:

    Dear Carol and Robin,
    I have just watched the memorial service on line from my sister’s home in Sydney, Australia.
    I am here for my daughter’s wedding and to attend my son’s commencement for his PhD.

    I was very sorry to miss the service but It was great to be able to share in it on line, and want to add my condolences and memories of Nancy.

    She was a gift that came into my life shortly after the death of my own mother and was like a mother to me for the last ten years of her life. I was 65 and had been retired from nursing for 5 years when the opportunity came up for me to become a part of her care team. I had hoped to see her through to the end, but alas, I aged along with her and had to pass on my role to someone younger. While there I brought on board some of my dear friends and was able to continue my connection and friendship with Nancy over the last years of her life.

    I learned so much from Nancy and she will live on in my memories and my actions for the rest of my life. The main thing that I am so grateful to her for is that she showed me how to grow old gracefully. There are many other things, both practical and psychological as well as spiritual that have impacted greatly on how I live my life.

    I will always treasure the last contact I had with her during the Xmas tree trimming. It was so like Nancy to keep connected right up to her last days.

    Farewell dear friend, a life well lived!

    Mary Lou Johnson

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