Nancy Evelyn (Browne) Steele

Nancy Evelyn Steele (nee Browne)

January 4, 1929 - July 31, 2021

Peacefully surrounded by loving family and very much in the thoughts and hearts of cherished friends, Mom, Nana, Nancy Steele slipped away peacefully at Victoria House on Friday, July 30, 2021, in her 93rd year.

Nancy lived an amazing life. A life fulfilled by family, by friendship, by a career of service to those in need and by a vast well of kindness and caring for those around her. Nancy was a loving daughter, a happy and determined young woman, a nurse, a wife, a mother, a mother-in-law, a grandmother, a great-grandmother, a world traveller and a wonderful and devoted friend to so many people whose lives she touched deeply.

Nancy was predeceased by her husband Ray (Steele) and by her second husband Bill (MacPherson). She was also predeceased by her eldest son Gary (Bobbie) and leaves behind her sons and daughters-in-law Tom and Astrid, Jim and Wendy, Ken and Teresa as well as grandchildren Alysha (Michele) Shawna, Alexander (Beth), Mat (Jess) Vivienne, Shelby, Evelyn and Audrey as well as her cherished great-grandchildren Zayden, Jaxson, Ava and Maryn. Nancy is also fondly remembered by daughters-in-law Dianne and Vickie Steele.

On the MacPherson side, Nancy is survived by Bill ’ s children Ken MacPherson (Sue) and Frances Jarvis (Mike) as well as her grandchildren Katie, Billie, Lindsay and Alex. To Ken, Nancy was a lifelong friend of his mother, an incredibly generous spirit, a second mother, grandmother to his kids for whom she will always be their “ Grandma Nan," she rescued Dad and dragged him around the world for many years and he loved it.

Nancy was also the cherished friend and longtime neighbour of Andrea “ Andi” MacDonald/Bunn with whom she shared many moments of laughter, weekends at the “ skidoo camp” and many mornings of last minute hair brushing encounters. Andi departed only a few weeks earlier and will now be joined by Mom to continue their antics from above.

Nancy is also lovingly remembered by her dear friend, fellow nurse and trusting travel companion Ruth O ’ Keefe. Mom and Ruth shared many moments of laughter and memorable shenanigans beginning when they first met in Nursing School at Toronto Western and continuing through a lifetime of laughter, family gatherings, heartache and limitless adventure. Mom will be deeply missed by Ruth and by many of her nursing colleagues who knew and loved her dearly.

Nancy was the only daughter of George and Sadie Browne and later in life connected with her birth mother Mary Whitton (predeceased) and discovered a side of her family she had never known. In addition to Mary, Mom met her brother John Whitton (Marilyn predeceased) and her nieces Debbie, Darlene and Denise. True to form, Mom quickly endeared herself to this wider family and became a treasured part of their lives.

Mom indeed had an interesting and fulfilling life and she loved to travel. There are very few places on the planet that she hasn ’ t been to, at least once, and she gathered photos, memories, poems and wonderful lasting friendships everywhere she went. Mom will be fondly remembered as the matriarch of her Las Olas community where she spent many wonderful days in the warm sunshine of the Atlantic coast.

As a mother to four boys (and many more on most weekends over the years) she is often regarded as a miracle worker and remembered for her kindness and overflowing generosity to whoever appeared at their table. She will indeed be missed by so many dear friends, neighbours and co-conspirators including Kathy and Sharon who kept her in mischief well into her golden years.

As a grandmother (and great grandmother) “ Nana” or “ Grandma” was loved and cherished. She was often described as the “ chocolate chips in the cookies of life ”. For her grandchildren, Nana was their biggest supporter, she never missed a moment of celebration in their lives. She always wanted to hear their stories, share their triumphs and she never failed to raise all of them up in their hardest moments. “ Nana” will always be remembered for her kindness and compassion, and the sound of her infectious laugh around the dinner table at Plum Point.

Nancy lived a long and wonderful life. She will be deeply missed but remembered with love every day for the lessons she taught in how to live a life of genuine interest, generosity, caring and kindness. She showed us all how to enjoy life to the fullest, how to cherish and nurture the love of family and friends and to always have a welcoming home and room at the table for any and all. Journey well Mom, we love you and will miss you but will always keep you close in our hearts.

The Steele Family would like to express our heartfelt thanks to Dr. Barnett and his staff for the exemplary care and kindness provided to Mom over the years and a huge thank you as well to each and every one of the incredible caring team at Victoria House that made Mom ’ s final years so wonderful and comforted her so deeply through her final days.