Obituary of Dr. Nancy MAGUIRE

February 10, 1928 – Weymouth, England

May 27, 2021 - Calgary, Alberta

 

It is with heavy hearts that the family of Dr. Nancy S. Maguire announce her passing at Agape Hospice on Thursday, May 27, 2021, with her son Brian at her side, after having been lovingly cared for these past 10 months by Brian, her daughter Clare and the staff at Agape.

 

Nancy was an intelligent, ambitious woman who graduated from the Royal Free Hospital School of Medicine (University of London) in 1952. While at medical school in 1949, she was personally awarded a prize for high marks in Anatomy by the Duchess of Gloucester. She was a feminist before it was popular and remained so all her life.

 

Nancy practised medicine in London, England before immigrating to Canada in 1957, with her husband Derek and their two sons, Brian and Michael.

 

The Maguires settled in Calgary, AB. Over the next few years, the family grew to include their three daughters, Elizabeth, Patricia and Clare. The family loved the mountains and the outdoors, and enjoyed countless hikes, picnics and camping trips throughout Alberta and British Columbia.

 

Nancy was a dedicated family physician. She operated her own family practice for 33 years before retiring at the age of 91.

Nancy was an accomplished horseback rider and served as the president of the Trail Riders of the Canadian Rockies from 1992-1994. She enjoyed cross country skiing, snow shoeing, canoeing and sailing. While in her fifties, she purchased a wind surfer and took up that sport as well. She and Derek were part of the original Fifth Dimension hiking group in Calgary and rarely missed the Thursday morning bus drive to the mountains for a hike or a ski, no matter the weather.

 

Nancy was an ardent writer and recounted her many world travels in articles that she penned for newsletters, newspapers and medical journals.

 

Nancy loved to sing and was a member of St. Mary’s Cathedral for over 60 years. She was also a member of the Calgary Choral Society. She was a member of the choir that participated in the opening ceremonies at the 1988 Winter Olympics.

 

Nancy was truly grateful for her blessings. She championed the causes of the poor and underprivileged. Nancy provided financial support to numerous charities. She gave of herself both professionally and personally. She travelled to India on several occasions to visit and work with Father Abraham and others while fearlessly visiting leper colonies. In 2009, she volunteered as an assistant to teach English in both Vietnam and Cambodia. Nancy believed and often stated that a person is measured by good deeds not words.

 

Nancy lived her life with a roll up your sleeves attitude to do what you can with what you have. She will be dearly missed by family, her many friends, community, grateful patients and all that knew her and have been touched by her gifts, her time and her energy.

 

Nancy’s life was studded with a multitude of accomplishments, far too many to detail here. These included:

-      In 1976, she developed a rubella vaccination program which was subsequently adopted as a model for hospitals throughout the province of Alberta;

-      In 1981, she received a personal commendation from then Mayor Ralph Klein for her unselfish service to the community while serving on the Calgary Board of Health from 1973 – 1981;

-      In 1983, she was recognized by the YMCA as the Woman of the Year in Health and Fitness;

-      In 1991, at the age of 63, she donated a kidney to her son, Brian;

-      In 2009, she was recognized as the Outstanding Family Physician of the Year by Alberta Health Services;

-      In 2010, she received the Doctor of the Year award from the Calgary Medical Society.

 

Nancy is survived and mourned by her children, Brian (Sharon), Elizabeth (David), and Clare; her grandchildren, Megan (Bret), Jamie, Kevin (Emilie), Alan (Maria) and Laura; her great-grandchildren, Rainn and Matteo; together with her sister Heather, and numerous nephews, nieces and cousins in England.

 

Nancy was predeceased by her husband Derek Maguire in 2005, her daughter Patricia in 2001, and her son Michael in 2020.

 

*Please note updated Reception Location*

 

Relatives and friends are invited to Prayers and Tributes at McInnis & Holloway (Park Memorial, 5008 Elbow Drive SW, Calgary, AB) on Friday, August 20, 2021 at 7:00 p.m.

 

Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Mary’s Cathedral (219 – 18th Avenue S.W., Calgary, AB) on Saturday, August 21, 2021 at 10:30 a.m. Graveside Service to follow at Queen's Park Cemetery. Reception to follow at Calgary Crematorium Chapel, 3219 – 4th Street NW, (within the valley of Queen’s Park Cemetery). The family is requesting attendees to please wear a mask and practice social distancing. Condolences, memories and photos may be shared and viewed on Nancy’s obituary at www.McInnisandHolloway.com.

 

Should you wish to honour Nancy’s memory, we invite you to make a donation in her name to a charity of your choice.

 

 

In living memory of Dr. Nancy Maguire, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Park Memorial, 5008 Elbow Drive SW, Calgary, AB T2S 2L5, Telephone: 403-243-8200.

 

Nancy's memorial card can be viewed using this link