Nancy L. Steele

STEELE, Nancy Louise (nee Stewart) – passed away March 6, 2023 shortly before noon hour.

Nancy was born May 29, 1945 in Perth, Ontario to David and Helen Stewart.  In May 1968, Nancy married John.  They would have celebrated 55 years of marriage this year.  Her children are Mark (Andrea), Marnie Milando (Paul), and David (Shelly).  She had six grandchildren.  Madisson and Ethan Steele; Sarah and Meghan Milando; and Lyvia and Sebastian Steele.  Nancy is survived by her three siblings, David (Hedi) of Germany; Barbara Sherwood (Hugh), and Elizabeth Caudle (Murray) of Hamilton and Brantford respectively.

Nancy came to Guelph in 1963 and graduated from the School of Nursing in 1966.  She became a Registered Nurse and spent the next 44 years at the Guelph General Hospital, working in the Operating Room, Emergency, and Day Surgery departments, and retiring in 2010 at the age of 65.  Not one to sit still, she then worked at Surrey Street G.I. Clinic for another seven years before finally retiring in 2017. 

Amongst friends, family, and everyone who saw her around town, Nancy was known as “The Walker”.  She walked 3-4 hours daily and swam regularly until various illnesses hit her in mid 2022.  This frustrated her to no end.  She was proud that her pedometer showed that, in one year, she had walked a distance equal to reaching the centre of the earth.  Throughout her adult life, Nancy was an avid volunteer in the libraries of numerous schools, as well as local facilities including the River Run Centre, Guelph Civic Museum, McCrae House, and the Evergreen Centre.   Nancy’s other passions included gardening and music.   As an adult, she completed her Level 8 Royal Conservatory piano and subsequently her Level 6 Royal Conservatory Flute.  In the spring and summer, when she wasn’t walking, you could find Nancy tending to her gardens or finding new plants at the local plant nurseries.

Cremation has taken place.  A private family gathering will take place in May when the grandchildren are home from university to inter the ashes.  It will be followed by a gathering at Wall Custance Funeral Home reception room for family and friends.  A final date in May has yet to be determined. Arrangements entrusted to the WALL-CUSTANCE FUNERAL HOME & CHAPEL (519-822-0051 / www.wallcustance.com).

Memorial contributions can be made to the Guelph General Hospital Foundation, Grand River Renal Clinic or Hospice Wellington.

A tree will be planted in memory of Nancy L. Steele in the Wall-Custance Memorial Forest.