September 20, 1943 - August 15, 2021
Nancy Louise Rowan passed away peacefully at home with family at her bedside August 15th 2021. She leaves behind a loving husband Buster Rowan, five children (Avio/Rowan), many grandchildren and great grandchildren. Nancy, a great lady, has left us too soon, and she will be missed by many.
Nancy (Burns) was born in Kelso, Washington, a mill town on the Columbia River in 1943. Her youth was unconventional, full of tomboyish escapades with her three sisters and one brother. Summers were spent at Spirit Lake on Mt. St. Helens.
After college Nancy worked in Portland, married and had two children. She volunteered helping young women in Eugene, Oregon, moved to Indiana, then Rochester New York, and eventually, emigrated to Canada with her family.
Arriving in Ontario in 1970, Nancy was a renegade university faculty wife before heading west to settle on Vancouver Island. As a single mother, Nancy's most memorable time in the 1980's was spent taking care of a "boat only" access property in Maple Bay with no electricity, no telephone, and a menagerie of teenagers and animals.
The Maple Bay cabin was always open to share a meal to whoever needed it. Nancy excelled with a pioneering spirit and a "can do" attitude. She had an unmatched zest for life.
Nancy was an avid artist, photographer and creative forward thinker. She was playful, non-judgemental and empathic, the matriarch who spoke the truth when giving advice. She understood that making life better for those around her was the secret to a happy life.
One of her favourite pastimes, other than photography, was finding the perfect treasure at a local thrift shop. With her engaging charm, she would strike up a conversation with a fellow shopper to discover their true life story. Often, strangers became friends and friends became family.
In 1986 Nancy settled with her husband Buster Rowan by the Cowichan River. Buster hand built a beautiful log home for Nancy. Nancy enjoyed many afternoons on the porch photographing her beloved hummingbirds. Together, Nancy and Buster entertained many guests in their welcoming home. Their log home is full of warm memories of elk dinners with the laughter of family and friends from all over the world.
No doubt, Nancy's favourite color was red. For those of us who knew her, the color red will remind us of her and keep her generous spirit alive. The world was a better place with Nancy in it.
A Celebration of Life will be held in 2022. In Lieu of flowers , proudly wear red and do a kind deed in Nancy's honour.