Obituary of Natalka Rosann Bucci

Nancy was born on December 23, 1923 in Montreal to Michael and Anne Welligan. She passed away at the Bethany Care Centre, Calgary on Monday, July 19, 2004 at the age of 80 years, after battling Alzheimer’s disease for more than twenty-five years. Nancy grew up in the Point St. Charles area of Montreal attending Lorne School. The youngest child, she was the apple of her dad’s eye. She met her future husband Larry while he was on ships leave in Montreal. They were married in Halifax on December 31, 1943 and moved out west to Calgary in 1945. Over the next fifteen years they would live in Nelson and Kamloops, returning to Calgary where they would remain. Nancy was a very determined and lively lady. There wasn’t anything she couldn’t accomplish that she set her mind to. She took an interest in the hardware business, working in Nelson and at Weber’s Hardware in Calgary. In 1957 she got the entrepreneurial bug and opened Westgate Hardware. In 1960 Larry left his job with McGavin’s Bakery and joined Nancy in running the store. Westgate Hardware was a fixture in the community for more than twenty-five years. Together Larry and Nancy cultivated many friendships and made numerous contributions to the community. The hardware store was also known all over Calgary as a place to find almost anything. You could also count on good conversation and great service. Nancy loved to dance. She and Larry belonged to many square dance and round dance clubs. An excellent seamstress, she made her numerous dance dresses. Gardening was another favorite. Nancy did everything with panache from home decorating to her personal fashion choices. If it was new and different then it was for her! She leaves us with a wealth of memories and a lasting sense of the love and nurturing she provided. She leaves to remember and celebrate her life, a son and two daughters, Gary (Donna)Bucci, Carla Bucci, and Lisa(Jim) Vandergouwe; nine grandchildren, Lora, Dylan, Roseanne, Craig (Heidi), Kevin, Kyle, Alicia, Lindsay, and Kelly; eight great-grandchildren, Jennifer, Derek, Marina, Aaron, Hailey, Antony, Alcina, and Athene; and her sister Alice. Nancy was predeceased by her devoted husband of fifty-nine years, Larry, in September 2002; her son Tim in May 2003; two brothers and two sisters. Funeral Services will be held at McINNIS & HOLLOWAY’S Park Memorial Chapel (5008 Elbow Drive S.W.) on Saturday, July 24, 2004 at 1:00 P.M. with the Rev. Mr. Paul Coderre officiating. Graveside Service to follow in Holy Family Cemetery at Eden Brook Memorial Gardens. To forward condolences go to www.mcinnisandholloway.com. In living memory of Nancy Bucci, a tree will be planted at Fish Creek Provincial Park by McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES, Park Memorial Chapel, 5008 ELBOW DRIVE S.W., CALGARY, TELEPHONE: (403) 243-8200.