Dr. Nancy Alison Shaw

I shall miss Nancy very much. I really enjoyed what became my weekly lunches with her. She was so smart, wise and an utterly invigorating person to be with. She was also an extremely good poet. She had a curiosity about the world that was deep and complex. The curiosity I found infectious as it kept making me rethink the world as I saw it.
I shall always remember you Nancy and will think about you often.

Dave & Muriel, I knew and loved Nancy as a child She was my first niece and I had the pleasure of giving her her first tricycle. I regret not getting to know her as an adult.
With love

Dear Uncle Dave and Auntie Muriel;

The Shaws are my beloved extended family. Nancy was my little red-haired cousin. Of course, as time passed she grew very, very tall and became very, very, very accomplished.

I had always wanted sisters in addition to my brothers, so early in my young life I adopted Nancy and Susanne as my faux sisters. I had a lot of fun with Nancy during our university years. We were also able to spend time together in New York and in Paris in our late twenties. I am so happy that Nancy was able to see Europe, given that she was such a lover of culture and given that her life was to be cut short.

Nobody could help but admire Nancy's dedication to education and the arts, her championing of the less-advantaged, her social conscience, her academic prowess, her formidable writing skills, her common sense and her sense of humour.

I count myself among the teeming legions of her admirers. It is hard to lose a faux sister before her time.

The Thomas family (Auntie Donnie, Uncle Charlie, Alicia, Pierre, Angelica, Antony, Michael, Claire, Peter, Theresa, Richard, Kirstin and Jasper) is greatly saddened.

I bid you goodbye my eldest cousin and will think of you fondly.

Love, your cousin, Alicia (May Bug)

Nancy, a community of scholars and artists mourn your passing. You were an inspiration to so many people. We will remember you and cherish your legacy.

Dearest Nancy, Thank you for teaching me about art, and life, and courage and friendship. Much love - Jim Smith

Nana, I've missed you before and now I miss you daily. Your full, open laughter, your eager energy, your openness to any new adventure -- they've inspired me and they've brought real joy to my life. Love, Denden

Nancy, please keep on helping us make our art and show an open face to the world we're in.

I too only met Nancy at the Canada Dance Festival last year. We had brief but inspiring conversations about dance and writing. Her curious and sensitive interest in dance and the rigorous and creative perspectives on the art form that she offered through her writing stand as an example of the potential in this field - dance and writing.
She will be sadly missed.

Nancy, I basked in the glow of your humour, gentle ways, and deep intellect. On hot summer nights at Jardin de Panos in Montreal, walking with you along the Manhattan streets you loved, hearing you read your astounding poetry -- thank you for sharing your mind, heart, and friendship. You remain unforgettable and inspiring.

Life and words, yes yes yes, Nancy's wonderful writing, astonishing editing and curating skills -- a warmth and generosity of spirit and openness of mind and wit all too rare and all too sadly missed. Damn, damn, damn. What a loss.

I only met Nancy last year at the Canada Dance Festival, but was immediately drawn to her great mind and the ease of being with her. I read her writings on dance and was delighted that she was interested in bringing her vast perspective to another art form. She will be missed by our community.

For the life and words you have given my sister Catriona, thank you, Nancy. For your graceful and determinded self, "sleep, now sleep, and so end sorrow".

I love you, Nan. Miss you so so so much. You are my hero!!! oxox