Nancy Elizabeth CHITTICK

Surrounded by her family in her final days, Nancy passed away peacefully at Amica Bayview Gardens. She will be deeply missed by her three children: John (Janis), Peter (Carolyn) and Kate; brother, Jim Taylor; and seven grandchildren; Taylor (Lindsey), Cameron, Jack, Carolyn (Logan), Emily, Anna and Tom, and great-grandson, Griffin. Nancy was born in Woodstock, to Wallace and Emma Taylor. Her childhood was comfortable, but occasionally challenging. She spent her teen years at St. Margaret's boarding school, near Beaverton, where her favourite pastime was horseback riding. After high school, Nancy trained as a dental assistant and also joined the Woman's Air Corps, stationed in Nova Scotia. In August 1942, while visiting her aunt's cottage at Lake Simcoe's Shanty Bay, 16 year old Nancy met 16 year old Bob Chittick. That chance meeting ultimately led to marriage in Hamilton, in September of 1949, and a loving union of 70 years! The newlyweds moved to Barrie, where Bob was employed by the Barrie Examiner. Throughout his career in publishing and printing, his hard work and talent achieved much business success. Nancy was an equally hardworking homemaker and a mother, who lovingly nurtured her three children. Alongside raising her family, she was a longtime volunteer at Big Sisters of Toronto. Wherever Nancy and Bob lived (Barrie, Midland, Toronto's Baby Point, Lawrence Park and Amica BG), they made lifelong friends. They traveled together extensively. Both particularly loved spending time at their Stony Lake cottage and fostered their children's and grandchildren's connection to the lake where happy annual family get-together have occurred for decades. Nancy loved her family and her close-knit group of friends from each community she lived in. She was very neat, and believed in order. She was stylish and beautiful, even in her Nineties. She was energetic, walked fast, fell occasionally and rolled well when she did. She loved oysters. She was impatient and held some quirky perspectives much to the amusement of her children and grandchildren. She was wilful, could be stubborn, was sometimes critical but was usually accepting. She kept a stiff upper lip, almost never burdening others with problems. In her final years, her cheerfulness and gratitude were remarkable. Her children mourn the loss of a devoted mother. If there is an afterlife, she will be reunited with her beloved husband. We miss them both beyond words. Our family thanks the kind, capable staff at Amica BG who cared for Mom and her Amica friends (especially Marjorie). We also thank Mely who, for four years, brightened our mother's days with care, laughter and love. In memory of both our parents, a private family service will be held at Stony Lake next summer. If you wish, please make a donation to Big Sisters, or any charitable organization of your choice.