SCHAALJE, Agnes “Nancy”

SCHAALJE Agnes (Nancy) Elizabeth McCormack Schaalje passed away in Lethbridge, Alberta on Thursday, December 19, 2024.
Nancy was born February 18, 1939 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, the fifth and youngest daughter of William White McCormack, and Maude Watts Gibson Morrow McCormack. Her sisters all predeceased her: Mary (Allen Hicks), Kathleen (died as an infant), Patricia (Robert Hamilton) and Alice (Don Crawford). Her husband, John Schaalje, passed away in 2005.
Nancy is loved and revered by a host of family members in the Schaalje, Hicks, Hamilton, Crawford and McCormack families.
Growing up on Castlefield Avenue in Toronto provided an abundance of thrilling adventures. Attending nearby Allenby Public School and Lawrence Park Collegiate Institute, she began her lifelong quest of learning. Weekly visits to the library, where she would collect several books, helped satisfy her brilliant mind, and opened possibilities to many dreams! Following high school graduation, she attended BYU in Provo, Utah, and in 1961 graduated with a degree in Home Economics.
Her decades long teaching career from Bancroft, Idaho, to Etobicoke, Ontario, to Coaldale Alberta brought her much joy, as she diligently instilled in hundreds of young minds and hearts the love of homemaking, cooking, sewing, and reading!
Next to her love of creating with fabric, genealogy and family history became her second passion, and for nearly seventy years she lovingly searched and researched her family tree! Trips to Northern Ireland, and meeting McCormack, and Morrow relatives inspired and quenched her thirst to continue searching! We know her return to our heavenly home this week included sweet meetings with generations, and generations of loved family members whom she had found!
Nancy held dear her memories of time at the family’s Lake Simcoe cottage, and at Lake Kashagawigamog near Haliburton. It was a happy gathering place for so many family events!
Nancy’s devotion, and caregiving to her aging parents was exemplary, and she stayed in the east ministering to them. Following their passings in 1969, and 1973, she began planning her move west. September 1979 she was Alberta bound, and for over 45 years has called Lethbridge home.
Nancy loved gardening, and her homes in Haliburton, on Elm Crescent, Forestry Avenue, Coulee Creek, and Fairmont Villa, were pictures of gardening at its finest!
Her courtship with John Schaalje, was a dream come true for Nancy. They married 15 July 1989 in the Logan Utah Temple, and honeymooned together until John’s passing in 2005.
Hallmarks of Nancy’s remarkable life included her love of family and friends on both sides of the veil, and her love of the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ.
For the past several years, Nancy has resided at Garden View Lodge maintaining her independence until the last week of her life. She cherished her friendships and associations made there.
Nancy’s Funeral service will be held TODAY, Saturday, December 21st,1 pm, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Lethbridge Stake Centre, 2410 – 28th Street. Friends can meet the family prior to the service from noon – 12:45pm.
To send condolences, please visit www.generationsfh.ca