I met Nancy in Kindergarten and continued on in school with her for elementary, Jr. high and High school. Although we never did develop a very close friendship I always enjoyed Nancy's company and remember many good times with our group of friends that begun in grade seven... the PK's if you all remember correctly (Nancy, Cynthia, Kristy, Michelle, Marnie and I)... the Popular Kids.

One time in particular stands out with Nan.. she came skiing with my parents and I. I felt as though I'd hit the jackpot as Nan quickly became a cool PK whereas I was not. And I'm still not! Nancy and I had so much fun jumping on my trampoline in our ski pants, and being terribly funny (at least we thought so). Spending time with her was a treat as Nan was not only popular, she was annoyingly smart and many, if not all, the boys fancied her.

One of the last times I saw Nan was when she had a fantastic party at her house where we all had to dress up as a country and bring a food from that country. I don't actually remember what country Nan represented that night, but everyone who came went all out and it was a really good time but especially good to see all the original PK's that evening.

I am so very sad at the passing of Nancy. My heart goes out to you Joyce, Ian and Ella.

Nancy was a spectacular friend to us. She was the friend that you could call in the middle of winter to pick you up at the airport and take you for surgery when you were hurt on holidays! She was the friend that made an annual pilgrimage to the mall (to start the Christmas shopping) every Greycup with your wife so you could watch the game. She was the friend that hosted the backyard birthday party that we still talk about today. We will forever miss her smile, laughter and ability to create memories. Our hearts are breaking for you Ella, Joyce, Ian and everyone who adored and loved her as much as we did.

Rob & Stacey

I will remember Nancy for her beautiful smile and her kind heart. You could always count on Nancy to stand up for human rights and justice for everyone. I love how you clearly knew what Nancy believed and what her values were. You only had to look and see what flag or sign she had on her lawn! She was uncompromising in her beliefs. I loved this about her.

I met her only a few years ago when my daughter started middle school with Ella. Our girls became friends and so did we. Nancy was a great friend. I always knew she had my back and that I could count on her. One of my favorite memories of Nancy was a time we met up for tea. She showed up wearing a sweatshirt with a picture of Totoro on it and I showed wearing a Pokémon one. We called each other nerd and laughed!

I already miss the funny texts and memes she’d send.

Nancy valued and supported Ella’s passions. She was so very proud of her girl! I remember how excited she was to show pictures of Ella’s incredible cosplays.

John , Annie and I will miss her greatly.

Heartfelt condolences to Ella, Joyce and Ian

I met Nancy in grade 7 at Senator Patrick Burns. I remember liking her mischievous smile and she was always up for anything. Our group of friends included Kristy, Marnie, Stephanie, Cynthia and Tammy. We hung out on Northmount Dr a lot and ate CB’s fries, played video games at the arcade, and listened to the Violent Femmes and the Smiths at her house, which was just up the street. Nancy had the best back combed bangs and pulled off the 80’s look better than all of us. Nancy’s two dogs, Rose and Stanley, were beloved members of the family. Stan terrified Marnie and I the most. He was small, but ferocious. Nancy would have to hold him while we ran screaming into her room. I remember there was always lots of tea and CBC radio. I loved hanging out at Nan's.

Nancy was good at every subject in school, which I found very puzzling. One time, she gave me her stuffed animal project for Home Ec. because I was the worst at sewing and I would have failed otherwise. We laughed about it for years afterwards since she got a higher mark than I did for the same stuffy.

Nancy and I also went on a trip of a lifetime with the geography department at U of C. She was the best traveler and never complained. Grueling journeys, intense heat and chaos were no match for her strength and sense of humor. I’m so grateful that we got to float down the Ganges at sunrise, ride elephants in the golden triangle, and explore the Valley of the Kings together. We always laughed about all the crazy things that happened on that trip, including the hallucinations from our malaria vaccinations, and wondered how we'd have managed as adults.

Nan and I were roommates for a while. We lived in a run down tiny two bedroom, but for $250 a month we figured we’d scored. The foundation was sinking, so Nancy would roll coins down the slope of our kitchen floor and we’d laugh about walking down to the fridge and then back up to the table. I remember we had a crappy oven, but she managed to make me her famous veggie lasagna for my birthday that year. She drove a blue Bug at that time and it had no heat, so on icy winter roads we would take turns scraping the inside of the windshield with this monstrous scratchy mitt that she had found somewhere. And we would laugh and laugh the whole time. Life was always fun with Nan.

My deepest sympathies to Joyce, Ian, and her daughter Ella. I'm so sorry for your loss.

Love you Nana-Belle.

Mimi

I first met Nancy 37 years ago in the 7th grade. She is my oldest and dearest friend. The most beautiful person I have known, inside and out. Nancy got me through the most difficult times in my life, and always there for the good times as well. Anyone who knew Nancy knows she was always up for a new adventure, and we had many together! I can hear her laugh now. I was fortunate enough to have looked after beautiful Ella when she was small. Nancy's beauty lives on in her. My heart goes out to Ella, Joyce, and Ian. As my heart breaks with theirs. My luv bug you are so very loved and missed.

Oh Nan! I'll always be grateful for the years we shared together and the many fond memories we created along the way. It brings a big smile to my face thinking back on all the adventures we had.

Our 2 month road trip to Mexico in which we thought it be be good idea to purchase a beagle puppy in Scottsdale only 1 week into our trip. I don't think Gus ever forgave us for removing him from the sun and warmth of the Arizona desert and transporting him to the snowy, wintery cold of Calgary. This would likely explain so much of his antics.

The mayhem that descended upon us at the 94 Labour Day Classic at McMahon stadium. Maybe that's a story best shared at a later date!

The home we shared on 13th Ave SW where we welcomed our friends/coworkers day and night. We hosted so many great house parties there much to the chagrin of many neighbours.

The numerous camping getaways we had with our friends, which seemingly more often than not, resulted in us being asked to leave.

I am especially grateful for all of the people you introduced me to, many of whom are still close friends to this day! I wish I could be with you all now to goodbye to our dear friend who has left us far too soon.

Joyce, Ian and Ella, I am so deeply sorry for the loss of your daughter, sister and mother.

Memory of Nancy at our "Y2K" New Year's party

Christy S

We have been very close with the Merritt family since moving onto Cawder Drive in 1979; Nancy, Ian, my brother Mike and I always hung around together growing up in the eighties. As you can imagine Nan put up with a lot and had the patience to deal with us 3 boys. She was the toughest (like her mommy - Joyce) out of all of us and endured some painful if not comical experiences in our company; Like me riding Ian's Honda 3-wheeler & t-boning Nan while she was on the dirt bike, or knocking down one of Mr. Merritt's (Bob) fossils right onto Nan's head... these are just two of the many mishaps Nan endured, relatively unscathed, by us boys. There are so many other entertaining stories that mommy, Ian and my bro could tell...

During all these times, and numerous others, my memories of Nan always included a smile on her face no matter what we were putting her through. She turned out to be a truly strong, independant, forgiving and incredibly loving person in spite of (or hopefully, partly because of) us boys and our never ending antics. Nancy you'll always be in my heart...I loved you like a sister. Mrs. Merritt (aka Mommy), Ian & Ella, take care of each other, and know that we are always here for you.