Nancy Powell

January 7, 1915 – October 3, 2011

At the fine age of 96 years, our mother passed away peacefully on Monday, October 3, 2011 in the Ottawa General Hospital . Daughter of the late Jack McMurray and the late Gilian Quirk. Beloved wife of the late Peter Pearce Powell who predeceased her on February 14, 1989. She leaves behind her younger sister Lorna (Black). Loving mother to Sheila (Avery), Kenneth, the late Wendy (Anderson) and Susan (Cousineau).

Cherished granny to Jackie, Susie, Judy, Bill, Jenny, Marilyn, Brendan, Dylan, Marc and Heidi and a wonderful great granny to Abigail, Tessa, Michael, Megan, Gracie, Connor, Harrison, Anderson, Addison, Téa, Samuel, Jasper and Ayden. Memorable aunt to Gillian (Edwards) and Michael Black.

She was born to an Irish father who ran an Irish linen business and to an English mother. Her parents immigrated to Staten Island, USA, where she was born. Her family then moved to Toronto when she was 3 years where she lived for 90 of her 96 years. While she was born in the US and lived in Canada she spent every summer of her youth in Belfast, Ireland, living at Drumkeen, the family home, until the age of around 20 years. She met her husband, Peter, an Englishman, on an ocean liner crossing the Atlantic.

She was truly the matriarch of the family. She loved to have everyone around her as was evidenced by her endearing and endless hospitality to family and friends who always seemed to drop by for her famous and sometimes raucous Sunday dinners. She made sure her fridge was always full. “Granny” as she was affectionately called by many, was a kind, generous, energetic, busy, creative and welcoming person. She was full of life and loved to dance proudly showing off her beautiful legs in her high heels. The Irish term “craic” describes her to a “T”... having a good time or a laugh, being playful, fun and carefree. She was also known for her talent in playing the piano, knitting, crocheting, gardening, golfing and talking on the phone.

Our thanks to the wonderful care provided by the staff of the New Edinburgh Square Retirement Residence where she lived for the last 6 months. In addition, the family wants to acknowledge the fabulous care provided by several workers of the Bayshore and Paramed Health Care agencies as well as Happy Memories Care (Margo Pilon) who assisted us in providing, in the end, 24 hour care to her. As well, we appreciate the wonderful care provided by the medical team of the Ottawa General Hospital in her last days.

We love her and miss her already.

A memorial service celebrating her life will be held in Toronto at a later date to be announced in the Globe & Mail.

Donations in lieu of flowers can be made to a charity of your choice.