MCTAGGART Nancy

NANCY ELIZABETH McTAGGART (Née Davis) November 6, 1942 –

October 2, 2015

Nancy succumbed at the age of 72 years to colon cancer that was first identified in May, 2012 and gradually spread to her liver and lungs. She is survived by her devoted husband and best friend of 57 years, John. He and their daughter Heather were at her side when she passed in Palliative Care at St. Michael’s Health Centre in Lethbridge, AB. Nancy is predeceased by parents Ellwood and Helen Davis and sister Janet Davis of Aurora, ON. She will be greatly missed by daughters Catherine Huizenga (Dave Amer) of Toronto, ON, Heather Kwan (Dr. Peter Kwan) of Lethbridge, AB and son Craig McTaggart (Kim Rogers) of Ottawa, ON. Proud Nana of Dexter Huizenga, Lauren and Will Kwan and Stella and Grace McTaggart. Nancy is survived by her sister Pat Beal (Ralph – deceased) of Huntsville, ON and their children David (Andrea) of Toronto and Maryanne (John) of Huntsville. Also survived by brother-in-law David McTaggart (Susan) of Arlington, Virginia and their children Neil (Andrea) of Toronto and Jennifer (Shawn) of Guelph, ON. Nancy took her early schooling in Aurora, ON and then attended Toronto Teacher’s College. She and John began married life in Walkerton, ON where Nancy taught at Walkerton Public School. Nancy had an exceptional contralto voice and loved singing from an early age. She completed her Grade 10 singing at the Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto. She sang many solos and won many awards and scholarships at the Kiwanis Music Festival in Toronto. Highlights of her singing career included singing with each of the Calgary Philharmonic Chorus and Calgary Festival Chorus.

Unfortunately, Nancy encountered many medical issues in her life necessitating seventy surgeries and considerable extreme pain. Her pain tolerance was remarkable. Acute care nurses in many hospitals across Canada called her “one tough nut”! The majority of her surgeries were spine related. Nancy credited Regina Neurosurgeons Dr. Joseph Buwembo and the late Dr. Krishna Kumar with many of her pain control successes. John was her caregiver throughout all her surgeries and procedures. Rose Harding provided exceptional home care and compassion for almost ten years. All who knew Nancy will miss her terrific enthusiasm for life, her always positive attitude, her beautiful smile and her concern for others regardless of her own situation. At Nancy’s request there will not be a funeral service. A private celebration of her life may well be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations in Nancy’s name can be made to the Alberta Cancer Foundation, care of the Jack Ady Cancer Center, attention Sarah Parkin, 1A129, 960-19th Street S., Lethbridge, AB, T1J 1W5 (403-388-6200).

Honoured to serve the family, CORNERSTONE FUNERAL HOME AND CREMATORIUM, 2800 Mayor Magrath Drive South, Lethbridge, Alberta T1K 7B1.Telephone (403) 381-7777. Condolences may be emailed to care@cornerstonefh.ca