Nancy Patricia O'Brien

O”BRIEN, Nancy Patricia died in the early hours of May 4, 2026 . She was born in Toronto to H. Terry Creighton and Rita Creighton [nee Bailey], both originally of Dartmouth NS. The eldest of 4, she grew up in Halifax, where she attended Sir Charles Tupper School and Queen Elizabeth High. In her youth, she served as a Cubs leader, attended All Saints Anglican Cathedral, studied piano and played organ for her father, an Anglican Lay Reader. She had summer jobs at Digby Pines and White Point Beach.

Nancy graduated summa cum laude in philosophy in1953. She studied with James Doull and George Grant. In 1952 she travelled to Yugoslavia on an educational tour with World University Service. She pursued further graduate studies at the Pontifical Institute of Medieval Studies in Toronto, studied political science in Paris, and later studied journalism at University of Western Ontario.

Shortly after marrying James Doull in 1953, Nancy was diagnosed with tuberculosis but made a dramatic recovery thanks to new drugs. She contributed significantly behind the scenes to James’ academic work, in particular the initial visioning of what later became the Foundation Year Programme at Kings.

Nancy was a founding member of the New Democratic Party, hosting NDP club meetings in her home. She was the last surviving Nova Scotia delegate to the founding convention of the national NDP. Over many decades she participated in constituency executives , provincial and national conventions, policy meetings and numerous federal and provincial campaigns.

Nancy taught history at Halifax Ladies College, 1960-1961. Next she served two years as the first Provincial Secretary of the Nova Scotia NDP. Then she was a researcher on the Royal Commission of Biculturalism and Bilingualism. Her next, most fondly remembered work was as owner of Minerva Books, from 1966 to 1972 in Halifax. In 1972 she ran NDP leader David Lewis’ national election campaign tour. Her last career was as Investment Manager for the R.A. Holdings Company.

In 1975, Nancy married Allan O’Brien, former mayor of Halifax and a lifelong worker for the CCF and NDP. For many years they divided their time between Halifax, Caribou Island, and London, Ontario, where Allan taught political science at the University of Western Ontario. Sadly, Allan died unexpectedly in March 1998, shortly before a spectacular provincial election result for the NDP.

Nancy was a lifelong volunteer in her beloved Halifax. Early on she was on the Board of the alternative newspaper The Fourth Estate. Later she served many years on the Board of the Heritage Trust of Nova Scotia and on the editorial committee of their newsletter, The Griffin. She served with the Friends of the Public Gardens and several University Women’s groups. She was a longtime member of the Antiquarian Club of Halifax. She was a tireless publicist for speaker events and book launches.

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Nancy travelled in North America, Europe, China, Antigua , Martinique and Haiti, in later years taking many road trips with friends to antique sales, Heritage Trust tours, archaeological events, and the Atlantic Seminar for Theological Education. A lifelong reader, particularly of non-fiction and print media, she was also a keen supporter of the arts, particularly live classical music, subscribing to Symphony Nova Scotia and Scotia Festival of Music

Although mobility issues limited Nancy’s last years, and she mourned the passing of many of her closest friends, she welcomed phone calls and visits with those remaining. Until her very last days she kept up with national and world news. Always she supported progressive and humanitarian causes. She has inspired many of us with her love of learning, her passion for politics, her delight in music and the arts, her care for peace, justice and equity and her devotion to her friends.

Nancy is predeceased by her parents Terry (1971) and Rita (1998), first husband James (2001] , second husband Allan (1998), brother David (2010), sister Wendy (2025) and numerous friends. She is survived by brother Brian (Susie), [Poole, Dorset, England], daughter Rev. Jane Doull [St Andrews, NB], stepson Ron (Hope), [New Glasgow NS ] and his daughter Bridgit (Sonja) [Regina SK], stepdaughter Karen (Vancouver ,BC ); nieces Mickie Zinck, [Dartmouth] , Tina Asselin, [Winchester ON) , and Sara Duchesne, [Oyster Pond, NS; nephew Andrew Creighton [Halifax NS]; many dear friends. Special thanks to Paul Allen, Hope Beanlands, Sara Beanlands, Barbara Bickle, Linda Forbes, Janet Morris and Vindiya Sivaraj , as well as many caregivers at Parkland-at-the-Gardens.

Cremation under the care of Cruikshank’s Funeral Home. Funeral services will take place at 2 p.m. on Monday, May 11, at All Saints Anglican Cathedral, Halifax (an accessible venue). Service will be live-streamed and recorded at https://www.youtube.com/@cathedralchurchofallsaints7991. Interment for Nancy and Allan, 10 a.m. Tuesday, May 12 in the Creighton plot at Camp Hill Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, we encourage donations to Médecins Sans Frontières, Heritage Trust of Nova Scotia, Scotia Festival of Music, or the Nova Scotia NDP.