Nancy Elizabeth Taylor (nee Beattie)

Nancy Elizabeth Taylor (nee Beattie)

Peacefully at 73 years on July 16, 2026, held by daughters, Vanessa and Rachel, and now in the eternal embrace of mother, Stella; father, Arthur; step-mother, Jeannette, and the so many others rejoicing in her arrival.

Mamma Nance to son-in-law, Chris. Mother-in-law to Nick and forever Babcia to Chase and Sadie, the loves of all her heart and all her soul.

Sister to Norman (Ann), Theresa (David), Susan (late, Mark), John (Christine), and Brian (Suzanne).

Lifelong and truest companion to cousin, Mary Anne (Mike), with whom she shared the best of her humour and wit.

Niece, aunt, great-aunt, daughter-in-law, sister-in-law, cousin, and friend.

Though unbridled in most of the roles of her life, Nancy the writer and artist bestowed the legacy of a keenly honest body of work, much of which celebrated her relationship with the place she gifted her daughters and their father, Jim, and that most securely held her heart, Pelee Island:

Poem at Twilight
Nancy Taylor
(Pelee Island, July 1979)

When the night strutted in
sure and smug,
and as the day
yielded in resignation,
we fished then
at the tip of Scudder dock.

With gulls skirring
toward the breakwall
of rock,
catfish nibbled on
our sticky bait.

The waves leaped up
to wash the pier
and a twilight wind
tangled our hair.

These were the deepest hours,
as the sun and moon
debated the sky,
and we calmly browsed
through the bay
with our fishing lines.

(Poetry Canada Review, Winter 1979-80)

Rest now, Charlie. You are home.

With deepest gratitude to Hotel Dieu Grace Healthcare – Dr. Y. Emara Centre, and Simple Choice Cremation Centre, Windsor.