SHERBROOKE, Quebec – Nancy Kathryn Inglis (Love) Brown.
Nancy was born in Fredericton, NB on Aug. 28, 1933 and died in the Aberdeen Hospital, New Glasgow, on Sept. 17, 2012; welcomed home by the Lord, and the angels of heaven.
She is survived by her loving husband Harry; his children: Joanne (Mary), Philadelphia, PA; Kevin, Toronto, ON; Robin, Manotick, ON, and her friend Jean, of North Bay, ON; Lauren, Nepean, ON; grandchildren: Ivy and Griffin (Lauren); Aaron (Kevin); brother: Stewart (Vicki), Cookeville, TN; sister-in-law, Alice, Calgary, AB.
She was predeceased by her parents, Kathryn and Bryce Love of New Glasgow, brothers Richey, the husband of Alice; and William George in infancy.
A close family, she had many cousins, most now deceased, but still had close ties to her cousin Marietta Freeland, Quebec City. As a youngster, Nancy was always interested in sports, and enjoyed running, basketball and soccer, as team activities. She excelled in high school basketball and went on to play one semester with the girl’s basketball team of Acadia University in Wolfville. Early on, she received a diploma of public recreation from the University of British Columbia and later a BA degree from Acadia. Becoming a dedicated teacher, she began her teaching career at Stanstead College, Stanstead, QC, and then took a break to earn her teaching diploma from MacDonald College, following which she was asked to teach physical education at Sherbrooke High School, Sherbrooke, QC, where she began to amass a number of students who loved her dearly, and to this day, enjoy reminding everyone that “Nancy Love (later Brown) was their coach!”. Her husband Harry remembers countless hours after school, and in the evenings, when he would wait outside the gymnasium doors for her to finish her games, or practise sessions, always proud of her endless energy and love for her work and students. For years she was also a member of the Lennoxville Curling Club and played basketball with a local women’s team. When the then new regional high school was being built, she was one of five physical education teachers selected by the school board to visit several schools in the New England area, with active and successful physical education programs, to gain insight into means to create similar programs for the new school named Alexander Galt Regional High School, Lennoxville, QC. She then taught in that school and coached interscholastic girls teams in track, basketball and soccer, until her retirement in 1990. Her work is remembered by “The Nancy Brown Soccer Tournament”, held every fall, on that campus. But she was active in other activities as well. She and her husband both actively work in their church, St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, Sherbrooke, and she had been president of the Lady’s Guild, for many years. She also enjoyed being a member of the Lennoxville Quilters, where each week, throughout the school year, she would join her friends in quilting. She loved to cook and to entertain friends and family members for dinner or lunch. When health problems in her latter years inhibited her capacity for hiking, cross country skiing and walking in general, she joined an aqua fitness group at Bishop’s University, Sherbrooke, which helped her mobility, and she enjoyed the accompanying social benefits. A better than average bridge player, she looked forward to playing with her friends regularly. She was a beloved teacher, coach, mother, wife and friend, and will be deeply missed, but all are comforted by the Psalmist’s words found in Psalm 116:15, “Precious in the sight of the Lord, is the death of His saints.”
Visitation 6-8 p.m. Friday in the R.H. Porter Funeral Home, New Glasgow, to allow the opportunity to express condolences to the family. Her life will be celebrated in a service to be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 22, in Little Harbour Presbyterian Church, followed by interment in nearby Church Brook Cemetery. A memorial service in Nancy’s honour will also be held at 2 p.m., October 13, 2012 in her home church, St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, Sherbrooke, QC.
Anyone wishing to make donations in Nancy’s memory can make it to the Lady’s Guild of St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, Sherbrooke, the Heart and Stroke Foundation or a charity of choice.
Condolences may be sent by visiting: www.rhporter.ca