Nancy Kathleen Russell

April 8, 1939 - October 16, 2014

It is with profound sadness that we announce the sudden passing of Nancy Kathleen Russell (Leitch) on October 16, 2014. Nancy died of natural causes in her home in Courtenay, BC. Nancy was born in Trail to Annie and Gordon Leitch and spent her childhood on the family dairy farm in Columbia Gardens near Fruitvale, BC. She graduated as a registered nurse from Vancouver General Hospital in spring 1960 and married Robert Russell that fall.

Nancy had three beautiful children and helped support her family by working in part-time RN positions throughout southern BC and in 1974 settled in Nelson. 1983 saw Nancy move on her own to Victoria where she worked in palliative care. She journeyed often to the United States and the Okanagan to spend time with her grandchildren. Nancy relocated to Campbell River and semi-retirement in 2005.

To downsize her home and decrease some of her physical activities, Nancy moved to Courtenay in August 2014 to begin a new chapter and to enjoy more leisure time reading, gardening, and volunteering.

Survived by her children Bradley (Veronica), Jo-Anne Bowman (David), Laura Widdis (David); grandchildren (Aiya and Grayling Bowman; Alexandra and Gordon Widdis) and her cats Sir Francis and Nelle. The circle of five sisters is now sadly broken; surviving younger sisters include Gloria Rohl, Judy Beinder, Linda Woodburn and Patricia Taylor.

Nancy adored her grandchildren, cherished her four sisters and loved her cats. Her great joys included her children and her many dear and close friends and relatives. Volunteering, gardening, travelling, walking, baking and decorating were also her recent passions.

Nancy was an independent and resourceful spirit with a memorable laugh, a creative style and a wonderful sense of adventure.

"The welfare of the whole world is not worth the life of one child."

A service of remembrance for Nancy will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 25, 2014 at Piercy's Mt. Washington Funeral Home in Courtenay. In lieu of flowers, those who wish may make a donation in Nancy's name to the animal shelter of their choice.

Arrangements under the direction of Piercy's-Mt. Washington Funeral Home, Courtenay, BC.