Nancy Tidmarsh

Nancy Kathleen Tidmarsh (nee Young)
June 19, 1929 – October 3, 2018

On October 3rd, Nancy Kathleen Tidmarsh peacefully passed away after a relatively short illness at the age of 89 years.

Nancy was born in Folkstone, Kent, UK on the June 19, 1929, the second child of Jack and Maud (Nelhams) Young. Her father was a Chief Petty Officer in the Royal Navy and served in both World Wars. She was pre-deceased by her older sister, Phyllis Rose, and younger brother, Edward Charles. Nancy had eight nieces and nephews: Squibs, Lesley and the late David Goddard (the children of her sister) and Susan, Carol, Ann, Michael and Mark (the children of her brother). She is also survived by a further three generations of nieces and nephews. Nancy was a much loved aunt who will be so sadly missed.

Just after the Second World War, when she was still a teenager, she left home to become a student nurse at Radcliffe Infirmary in Oxford, becoming a State Registered Nurse and State Certified Midwife. After her training she went home to nurse at the Royal Victoria Hospital, becoming a nursing sister and later a district Nurse.

Nancy followed her dream and left for Canada to work for the Victoria Order of Nurses in Sudbury, Ontario (1959 - 1962); from there Nancy had planned to head to Vancouver but on the train ride she found a posting leading her to a northern outpost in Big Trout Lake, where she met her future husband, Geoff - shortly after, they traveled home to Folkstone to marry in May of 1963. For the next 17 years Nancy and Geoff travelled through many remote reserves of Canada’s North including time in the High Arctic. In 1980, Nancy moved to Winnipeg, settling into city life along Wellington Crescent, old Fort Garry, River Heights and finally out to Charleswood. During these times Nancy made many close friends and was an active member of various activities. For many years she ran an English Bed and Breakfast out of her River Heights home. This was one of the first in Winnipeg and, while the concept was big in the UK, it grew popular as a result of her hospitality and caring for each guest. Nancy enjoyed Winnipeg’s arts communities, especially the WSO.  She was someone who would scour the auctions for antiques and the history they told. Most would tell you Nancy was a life learner, avid reader and self-taught in anything she was interested in, including a brief stint golfing - turns out she was a better teacher than golfer or maybe just didn’t have the time to refine her swing. Nancy, while not having her own children, did enjoy helping many others with raising their families and, later in life, she was a caring animal sitter for all those friends. Over the years Nancy vacationed in a number of interesting places but always seemed destined for a trip home to family in the UK.

In recent years Nancy and Geoff celebrated their 55th wedding anniversary, while staying independent in their own home, caring for each other. The key word is “independent” - even after giving up her driver’s licence as an 88 year-old, she figured out how the rapid transit system worked so as not to burden her friends.

Nancy’s family would like to thank the doctors and caregivers over the last year; her decline into Alzheimer’s was quite rapid but, with help, her dignity was maintained. Special thanks to the staff and caregivers at the Charleswood Care Center. 

A memorial service will be held at the Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church (4588 Roblin Blvd) with Monsignor Maurice Comeault officiating on Wednesday, October 10th 2018 at 11:00 am., with a private interment to follow at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, if so desired, a contribution can be made to the Alzheimer’s Society or the Winnipeg Humane Society.

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