DR. NANCY KERR

Professor Emerita, University of Alberta BHSc Msc PhD June 16,1941 – July 9, 2025 Peacefully, in Edmonton, after a long battle with Alzheimer's, faced with dignity and courage. Nancy was the beloved daughter of the late A.V.M Gordon Kerr; and his wife, Ethel; and sister of the late Paula. She is survived by her brother, John; sister, Wendy Hadley (Gordon); niece, Laura Larson; and nephew, Tom Hadley-Keefe. Nancy grew up in an Air Force family, where travelling and frequent changes of schools and friends were the norm. So it was not surprising that, after graduating with a BHSc from Macdonald Institute (U of T) in 1963, she left Canada for California, where she earned an MSc in Textile Science at UC Davis in 1966. She later completed a PhD in Fiber and Polymer Science at North Carolina State University in Raleigh in 1982. She became a professor at the University of Alberta School of Home Economics in 1966, hired to develop their new textiles courses and to set up and equip testing labs. Nancy and a colleague also created innovative courses in the care and preservation of historic textiles, unique in Canada at that time. These courses for conservators and museum curators brought international recognition to the Home Economics faculty, as there were no other university or college courses in textile conservation offered in Canada. Nancy became a foremost expert in the conservation of textiles. Among other honours, she was invited to Washington to join conservators from many other countries in consulting on the preservation of a large historic Stars and Stripes flag. She was amused that, after lengthy discussions and advice from all the international experts, the American conservators chose to follow the advice of their own experts in restoring the flag. In recognition of her teaching skills, Nancy won the Rutherford Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching and the Award for Teaching Excellence in Home Economics. Students and colleagues remember Nancy as a gifted teacher, able to explain complex concepts with patience and good humour. They recall her as a kind and compassionate mentor to students and to fellow staff members, especially those who were new to the profession. Her kindness extended beyond the classroom: buying a winter coat for a foreign student who was unprepared for Edmonton winters; finding furniture and accommodation for a grad student who had none; hosting grad students in her home. She spent many weekends volunteering with Inner City Pastoral Mission, and with Spirit of Hope United Church, providing food and warm clothing for unhoused people. A wide variety of charities benefited from her generosity, especially those supporting children and animals. And she was the quintessential cat lady, adopting many rescue cats over the years, in particular the misfit felines who were difficult to adopt. Nancy's siblings remember her as the adventurous one, travelling to rural Afghanistan prior to the wars, hiking in Peru, white-water rafting on the Colorado River, rock climbing, and scuba diving. But most importantly, they will remember Nancy as a kind and supportive sister, unfailingly optimistic and positive about life. In spite of enduring some personal tragedies, she was always a happy person who loved her family, her cats, and every dog she ever met. Godspeed, Nancy. John and Wendy are very thankful to the nurses and staff at LIfestyle Options Terra Losa for the wonderful care Nancy received over the past two years. If you wish to honour Nancy, please consider a donation to: the Edmonton Humane Society www.edmontonhumanesociety.com or to the Anne Lambert Costume Collection, U of Alberta www.ualberta.ca/en/giving/where-to-give/projects/textiles-collection.html