Louise Sarah Nahanee

It is with great sadness we advise that Sarah Louise ‘Sally’ Nahanee passed away unexpectedly in her home on June 16, 2025, in Eslha7an (Mission IR no. 1), North Vancouver BC. Sally was born to her late mother May Baker on October 30, 1942, at St. Vincents Hospital in Vancouver, BC. She was raised by late Dominic & Josephine Charlie in their home, located in Xwemulchstn (Capilano Indian Reserve No. 5), in the area that is now known as Park Royal Mall; and then at their home on Paitsmauk on Capilano Indian Reserve No. 5. When she had her own family, she settled into her longtime home in Eslha7an (Mission IR #1).

Sally was a survivor of St. Paul’s Indian Residential School. Early in life she worked for CanFisco Cannery as the Floor Boss, and then for Squamish Nation’s Mosquito Creek Marina as a Janitor – Sally was the ‘Real Boss’. She worked for 40 plus years, outlived 7 managers and 5 generations of workers; and she still worked 7 days a week at the age of 82 years old. Sally was knowledgeable in our culture and traditions. She was a very well respected elder of our longhouses, a historian in family trees, and knowledgeable in the canoe families. Sally can best be described as feisty with a knack for cleanliness and was very kind.

Sally will be dearly missed by his son ‘Kanak’ Mark Nahanee; daughter Sandra Michelle Ohman; grandchildren Jeremy Nahanee, Aaron Nahanee, and Matthew Ohman; great grandchildren Zane Nahanee, Dreyden Ohman, Dayanara Ohman, and Yiyelkem Ohman; brother Lloyd Baker; niece Syexwaliya Ann Whonnock; nephews James Kobierski, Peter Joe, Stephen Charlie, and Richard Charlie; and many loving relatives and dear friends.

A Prayer Service will be held at the Squamish Nation St. Paul's Catholic Church, 424 West Espanade in North Vancouver on Wednesday, June 25, 2025 at 7:00 pm with Visitation at 6:00 pm.

A Funeral Service will be held at Chief Joe Mathias Centre, 100 Capilano Road in West Vancouver on Thursday, June 26, 2025 at 10:00 am with Visitation at 9:00 am.

Cremation to follow.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared below for the Nahanee family. Arrangements entrusted to the care of Glenhaven Memorial Chapel, 1835 East Hastings Street, Vancouver, British Columbia. Phone 604-255-5444.