Nancy Eleanor Dorward (Pickard)
February 19, 1928 - September 15, 2017
Mom passed away in Victoria, after having resided at the Oak Bay Lodge for exactly one year.
She has finally gone to be with her dad and her sister, Isabelle (Izzy), with whom she longed to be with over the past few years, and of course her husband, Mac.
Alzheimers is a sad disease and we wish for anyone experiencing this with a loved one to dig deep and find your internal fortitude and patience.
She was the 7th child born to Albert and Marion Pickard in Duncan, B.C. on February 19, 1928. Her mom died when she was only 2 1/2 leaving her dad, along with her oldest sister, Barbara, in charge of raising the young family.
In her late teen years Mom worked at the Hudsons Bay store in Victoria and she shared many stories of how she and her best friend, Angie Monti, would catch the bus and sing all the way to their destination. They made their way to ALL the dances, sometimes hitch-hiking, but always without a care in the world.
Angie's dad, Charlie, was cook at the Mesachie Lake logging camp and the girls both quit their jobs in Victoria to go work in the cookhouse. It was here that she met Mac. (Charlie told her "He's not just coming in for the buns you know Nancy!!")
They were married on March 17, 1950 and after living at Mesachie Lake, Lake Cowichan and Duncan they left the Cowichan Valley for Courtenay where they resided until 1970 when they moved on to Port McNeill and finally settling in Port Hardy.
Mom leaves her children, Chris (Gordon) Patterson of Port Hardy; Harry (Carole) of Nanaimo; Vickie (Henry) Pejril of Kamloops; Dale (Janet) of Port Hardy; Donna (Ken) Kollman of Port McNeill; 11 grandchildren; and 13 great-grandchildren.
She was predeceased by her husband, Mac (2015); grandson, Brian (2008) and all seven of her siblings and their spouses.
Mom will always be remembered for her generous heart and beautiful smile. The folks at Oak Bay Lodge called her "Fancy Nancy" as she always presented herself with such style and grace .
Her claim to fame was her ability to sleep, an attribute which was annoying at times but that was the way she was (probably her only peace from five demanding children).
Her favourites were animals and little children, always stopping to make contact wherever she was.
She especially enjoyed the Hallowe'en Crawl down Market Street when she and Chris would sit outside Guido's and smile at the trick-or-treaters collecting their candy.
Mom made sure Dad and her kids were well cared for. There was always a meal on the table, even in the hard times; she made the best cinnamon buns and Christmas cake ever and we knew we were loved.
Mom had an awesome singing voice and folks would stop to watch her and dad waltz by them on the dance floor.
She shared a lot of laughs and never passed an opportunity to show off her moves at the Seniors Centre. She got a thrill visiting the casino and religiously purchased lotto tickets in hopes of striking it rich.
All those who have contacted us have mentioned how she always fed them and our best memories are of just that.
As Alzheimers overwhelmed our lives, Mom never forgot who WE were and that's the best we could have asked for.
Our wish for her is that she has found Izzy and they are dancing through eternity.
Mom never did like funerals but the family will be holding a private gathering at a later date.
In lieu of flowers please donate to your favourite rescue society in honour of her love for animals.
"Love you forever Mom"