Obituary of Nancy Louise Lewis

An Audio Version of Nancy's Obituary May Be Listened to Here

 

 

November 11, 1934 - Edmonton, Alberta

February 26, 2024 - Calgary, Alberta

 

“Our Prosecco Princess has peacefully passed.”

 

Nancy Lewis (nee Dickey), of Calgary, AB, passed away on Monday, February 26, 2024, at the far too soon age of 89 years.

 

Nancy was born in Edmonton, AB, on November 11, 1934. A chosen child at birth, she was raised up with the tender and loving care of her doting adoptive parents, Greeta and Frank Dickey.

 

Nancy married Russell Lewis in 1953 in Edson, AB. The family moved several times throughout Russell’s career as a Technical Engineer with the Railroad, eventually landing in Calgary in 1966 where they made their final home.

 

Nancy began working with Woodward’s Department Store in November of 1972 at Market Mall, beginning as a Sales Associate, and working her way up to Department Head of Cosmetics and Ladies' Fragrances, until the store closure in 1993.

 

Nancy was an accomplished pianist, having completed her grade ten, however, she never had the opportunity to achieve her teaching certificate.

 

Possessing an incredible talent for knitting and sewing, Nancy’s creations were works of beauty; from mittens to scarves, to socks and slippers and Cowichan sweaters, to dainty crinoline dresses, her skills were a marvel.

 

Nancy lived for several years in the Varsity Acres community, building cherished friendships, and exercising her very green thumb through the love and care of her beautiful backyard. This also included nurturing a truly marvelous collection of house plants of every type, many of which would be gifted to friends and family over the years.

 

While still in Edson, AB, starting a family, Nancy was also active with the local chapter of the Kinsmen Kinettes.

 

Nancy loved holidaying at Napili Bay in Maui, Hawaii, with her husband and children over a number of years in the 1980s. In the early 2000s, Nancy developed a passion for winemaking with her dear friend and “second chance for love”, Robert Laurens, whom she met some years after the passing of her husband, Russell. Through numerous family get-togethers and barbecues, “Uncle Bob” as he was called, quickly became a dear and cherished friend to all of Nancy’s children and grandchildren as well.

 

Oh, and we can’t leave out her love for chocolate, which she pursued with careless and sometimes reckless abandon well into her later years; if it was accompanied by a chilled glass of prosecco, even better. A sweet tooth that rivaled her equally sweet disposition.

 

Never at a loss for words, and possessing a wonderfully well-tuned sense of humor, Nancy always made time to listen or share a good joke or humorous anecdote. Her gift of gab quickly captured the hearts and formed lasting friendships with all those she met.

 

Nancy’s appreciation for the finer things, which she shared with her husband Russell, was apparent in every aspect of her life. From her incredible sense of fashion and style during her working life at Woodward’s, “glam-nicking” road trips with many wonderful friends with the Calgary Mercedes-Benz Car Club, countless dinners at Caesar’s Steak House, wonderfully memorable family dinners and Christmas gatherings in her home, to a simple cheeseburger and fries in the sunshine at Peters Drive-In, she took great delight in it all and looked smashing while doing so.

 

Her greatest love however was always her family, which for a few years included being a day home for her grandchildren, Connor and Casey, while daughter Alison and her husband Michael worked at advancing their careers and building a life for their own family - cherished memories that Connor and Casey will carry for a lifetime.

 

Mother, Mom, Momsie, Gramma, Great-Gramma…Nancy’s warm and caring heart touched everyone. Combined with an “always knowing” sense of intuition, she was a guiding light in helping to shape her children’s perception of the world, understanding the importance of the choices they made, and treating people with love and kindness.

 

Nancy is survived by her two sons, Jay Lewis and Dalton and Shelley Lewis; daughter Alison and Michael Richardson, all of Calgary, AB; her five grandchildren, Kelsey-Rae, Kyle, Kelsey-Michelle, Connor, Casey; and four great-grandchildren, Mackenzie, Finn, Alyssa, and Alivia.

 

Nancy was predeceased by her husband Russell in 1996.

 

Aloha means farewell to thee,

Aloha means goodbye,

Aloha means til we meet again,

Beneath the tropic sky.

Aloha means good morning,

Aloha means be true,

But the very best thing Aloha means is,

I Love you.

 

 

 A small gathering will be held at a later date.

 

Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared and viewed with Nancy’s family here.

 

In living memory of Nancy Lewis, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Crowfoot, 82 Crowfoot Circle NW, Calgary, AB T3G 2T3, Telephone: 403-241-0044.