Nancy M. MILLER

March 25, 1945 - October 27, 2025

Nancy Miller passed away peacefully on October 27, 2025.
Nancy was born on March 25, 1946 in Toronto, ON. She was the second child of Curt and Louise Miller, and arrived 8 years after her sister, Joy. Her family moved to Calgary while she was still a toddler and lived there until Nancy was 12 years old. The family story has it that while on a visit to Sidney, BC, where Nancy's grandfather had recently moved, her father said to her mother that "for 2 bits he would move here". Her mother promptly pulled out her purse, handed him 2 coins, and they moved to Sidney, leaving Nancy's newly married sister in Calgary.
During her teen years, Nancy was involved in 4H and especially enjoyed sewing. She graduated from North Saanich High School and was the first in her family to attend university. She began studying at the University of Victoria (UVic) the first year it opened at its current location. While at university, Nancy was introduced to her first husband, George Westinghouse, through a mutual friend and she left UVic to build their family. Applying through his parents' US Citizenship, George joined the US Airforce. Nancy and George lived in various air force bases in the US and in the Philippines while their family grew.
In 1974 Nancy and George returned to Canada with their children and settled in Calgary. By 1978 their marriage had ended, and Nancy returned to Sidney with the children. She worked and studied part time and completed her Bachelor of Education degree at UVic in 1981. She spent her teaching career in the Saanich School District, where she taught foods at North Saanich for 15 years, and then worked as a school counsellor in several of the elementary schools.
Nancy found a community that supported her values and beliefs with the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers). In addition to regular meetings and activities in the Victoria area, she enjoyed participating in Yearly and Half-Yearly meetings in BC and other parts of Canada when possible.
For her 40th birthday, Nancy signed herself up for sailing lessons and decided she wanted someone in her life with a sailboat. She met her second partner, Alan Hale, a couple of years later. During her summers off they would go sailing up and down the coast of the island on his wooden sailboat, Starshine, including spending time on their undeveloped 2 acres on Cortes.
Nancy retired from teaching in 2006 and threw herself into activities like gardening, singing, and spending time with friends and family. In 2014 she was officially diagnosed with dementia. With the support of her partner Alan, her family, and a supportive network of friends, she continued to remain active for a number of years. By 2022 her dementia had progressed, and Alan's own health was declining; she entered Resthaven Lodge, where she was provided with exceptional care for her final years.
Nancy was predeceased by Alan in 2023. She is survived by her sister, Joy (Joe) Dobos and their family; her children Jeff, Pamela (Ted), Laurel, and Eli (Rosie); 7 grandchildren; and 5 great-grandchildren. A Celebration of Life will be held at Shoal Centre on November 29 at 2pm.
In lieu of flowers, in memory of Nancy please consider making donations to the Alzheimer Society of BC or Resthaven Lodge.