Obituary of Nancy Jane Barnes

January 10, 1964 – Winnipeg, Manitoba

March 9, 2022 – Calgary, Alberta

It is with great sadness we announce the passing of Nancy Barnes (nee Alexander), of Calgary, AB. Nancy passed away on Wednesday, March 9, 2022, at the age of 58 years as the sun shone over the Rocky Mountains. She was surrounded by her loving husband, three sons, sister, and brother.

Nancy was born in Winnipeg, MB on January 10, 1964. She lived in Vancouver, Mississauga, and Thunder Bay before settling in North Vancouver in 1978. Nancy graduated from the University of British Columbia (UBC) with a degree in Nursing and started her more than 25-year career with roles in both acute, oncology, and community settings. She was passionate about nursing and spent most of her career caring for cancer patients in both Vancouver and Calgary, later moving into a community care role helping seniors and their families.

During her time at UBC, Nancy met the love of her life, Russell. Nancy and Russell first met at a concert, and their love blossomed through their many shared interests. Nancy and Russell married on November 25, 1989. Their married life took Nancy from Vancouver to Terrace, Prince George, and Calgary. In Calgary, Nancy realized her love for the wide-open prairies and long sunny days. Through the moves, they welcomed their three sons: Alex, Cameron, and Ryan. Her boys were her pride and joy and the center of her world. She watched them grow, guided them along their paths, and loved being their mom. She watched them play a variety of team sports and progress through their day-to-day lives. She also developed many lifelong friendships along the way in the different communities that she lived in, especially within her local Calgary community.

Nancy had a passion for many activities including cycling, golfing, swimming, and yoga, often in combination. Half marathons, triathlons, and proudly wearing the gold helmet signifying five rides in the Ride to Conquer Cancer (with family pedalling by her side), were just a few of her accomplishments. As well, Nancy recently began volunteering to help newly diagnosed patients in their kidney cancer journey. She was an important part of the Kidney Cancer Canada (‘KCC’) community.

Nancy had a passion for travel and search for adventure which took her around the world. As a teenager, she travelled throughout Europe and the USA as an ‘au pair’. Nancy celebrated her 50th Birthday and 25th Wedding Anniversary cycling and travelling all through Spain. Nancy and Russell celebrated 30 years of marriage travelling in Southern France. In sunny Arizona, Nancy and her family were recently able to escape cold Canadian winters and share Christmas together. Most importantly though, Nancy had a passion to better herself and the people around her every day. Through research, meditation, self-reflection, friends, and family, Nancy found inner peace. Her family leaned on her to be an ear that listens, an arrow that points, and a voice of reason. Although Nancy lived with cancer for many years, she never let it define who she was. She continued to live her life to the fullest.

Nancy is survived by her loving husband Russell, her three sons, Alex, Cam, and Ryan, her brother Duncan (Rosanna) Alexander, sister Donna (Rob) Brooks, and her five nieces, Elizabeth and Laura Alexander, and Madeline, Katherine, and Rebecca Brooks. Her beloved canines Guinness and Charlie will also miss her greatly.

A Celebration of Nancy’s Life will be held in May. If friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made directly to Kidney Cancer Canada, 3 - 251 Queen Street South, Suite 561 Mississauga, ON L5M 1L7 Telephone (Toll-Free): 1-866-598-7166, https://kidneycancercanada.akaraisin.com/ui/fundraise/p/nancybarnes to donate. Condolences, memories, and photos can also be shared and viewed here.

In living memory of Nancy Barnes, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Fish Creek, 14441 Bannister Road SE, Calgary, Ab t2x 3j3, Telephone: 403-256-9575.