August 4, 1934 to December 25, 2020
Sadly, on Christmas Day, in her 86th year, Nan passed away at St. Joseph’s Villa in Dundas, Ontario. Nan will be reunited with her husband and soul mate Stan, who passed away in May 1996. Much loved mother of Martin (Peg) and Linda (Doug) and grandmother of Heather and Thomas, Nan was born and raised in the Bannfoot, Portadown, County Armagh, Northern Ireland. Nan is survived by her sisters Maria, Olive, Myrtle and Eileen and her brother John all of whom reside still, in Northern Ireland.
As a young woman, Nan worked in a sewing factory in Portadown for several years before deciding to move to England to look for work. While there she met Stanley Hunter and in due course they were married and started a family. The next step in their life adventure together was a move to Canada which became permanent except for one short return move back to England. Once settled back in Canada, Stan worked as a structural engineer while Nan focussed on raising the children and maintaining the home along with doing some occasional domestic work outside the home. She was skilled at keeping a spotless and organized home.
After Stan died in 1996 Nan was on her own. A difficult year. In 1997 when her son and his wife decided to move to Canmore, Alberta they asked Nan if she wanted to join them. She responded with a resounding “Yes!” This became a typical response from Nan in the coming years. She was always willing to take that next step if there was someone to take it with her. The three of them lived in Alberta for 5 1/2 years and then moved to Vancouver Island for 8 1/2 years before returning to Ontario to live in Dundas. While living in Alberta and on Vancouver Island Nan did some volunteering in senior’s care on the Long Term Care Unit at the Canmore Hospital and at Cairnsmore Place an Extended Care Facility in Duncan, BC. Wherever she went she was fast to make friends. She learned everybody’s names and had the gift of being an excellent listener. So many people she befriended described her as sweet and kind.
Nan’s stay at St. Joseph’s Villa in Dundas began just over 3 1/2 years ago. In that time she managed to build many new relationships with staff and fellow residents. We loved so much how the staff appreciated her for who she was. She was treated with kindness, dignity and respect. As her health deteriorated, they provided gentle, competent support. We will be forever grateful to them for this.
A special mention must be made of Eleanor and Earl Somerville and their daughter Lisa from Portadown, N. Ireland. Eleanor (Nan’s niece) and her family took Nan on many trips to Florida and visited her and us in Canada every two years, keeping Nan well connected with her Irish family. Also deserving of special mention for their love and support of Nan are Susan Scriver Kenel and Connie and Len Wickens of Dundas. They entertained her and contributed to her happiness in so very many ways.
Cremation has taken place and Nan will be interred with her husband at Halton Hills Memorial Gardens in Burlington. Hopefully, sometime in 2021 a celebration of life with family and friends can take place. If so desired a donation to the Ontario SPCA or to the Saint Joseph’s Villa Foundation in Dundas would be appreciated.
I am saddened to learn of the passing of my Auntie Nan-
Please pass on my deepest sympathy to Martin, peg, Linda , Doug, Heather & Thomas…
I will be donating to Cross kennan lane animal sanctuary… Northern Ireland in lieu of flowers…
Pauline, Chuck, Luke, Bethany, Joshua- John & Danielle- kellee Ebron.
Condolences to the family. Nan was an interesting woman who seemed to embrace life and all those she encountered with open arms.
I love that she chose the SPCA for donations, very fitting ♡
We will miss you very much.
You were a big part of our lives.
Love you Mom more than words can say. These painful feelings of loss will pass, but oh so many memories of our good times together and with ‘the girls ‘ will be with me forever. You left your mark in this world. XO
Oh, Nan. You have been a dear friend and companion to me and it is hard to imagine not hearing your laughter or sharing your tears (“eyes too close to your bladder”), or watching you startle every time Martin jumped out from a dark corner, and then quickly recover(the bugger was always up to something and you loved it). You worked beside me and partied with me, shared a room with me in Japan and your family with me in Ireland. I loved your flare for fashion, your openness to taking part in the celebration wherever it was and whoever it was for. Thank you for loving my family and pets and friends as your own. They surely loved you as well. Thank you for giving and caring for Martin and Peg just as they gave and cared so much for you. They know you loved them and my heart breaks for their loss. What a wonderful legacy of kindness and strength and inclusiveness and joy you leave us. I love you, Nanner.
Nan was dear kind soul and a beloved member of our family. We will miss her terribly!
Such a real lady. We loved it when she visited Ireland. Eleanor Earl and Lisa loved to visit her. Lovely that auntie Myrtle was over to c her just over yr ago.nice auntie nan was able to come to r children’s wedding on last occasion popped into r living room as a big surprised . Always remembered she loved her spuds lol. She will be greatly missed. Cherished memories of a beautiful ladiy x
We are so sorry to hear about Nan, we go back to the early 80’s when we first visited Ontario, trips in Canada and into the States with Nan, Stan and Betty.
Later on it was Nan joining us in Florida and two memorable trips to Vancouver Island, then back to Ontario and beautiful Dundas. We were always so well looked after. Eleanor was able to persuade Nan to return home and we had the pleasure of her company on those trips as well.
Martin and Peg have so many happy memories of the years Nan spent with them, and as in a previous comment he jumped out on us on many occasions.
Nan you will be sorely missed, we will get over when times are better to celebrate her life
Deepest sympathy our thoughts are with you at this difficult time.❤️
I would like to offer my deepest condolences to Nan’s friends and family. This amazing woman touched my heart with her kindness, generosity, and witty sense of humour. I was blessed to have spent three months with her as part of my student internship at the villa. We quickly bonded over our love of animals (especially cats). We had many conversations about life, relationships, and being kind and non judgmental of others. She was always looking out for her friends at the villa.
She was such a strong woman and I will continue to treat others as she did. With kindness and respect. You will be greatly missed. Rest In Peace.
We are sending love to you all during this sad time. Nan was considered family by both my mom and dad. We are so very sorry for your loss. She will be remembered and missed by many.
So very grateful that we were able to do a zoom call 2 days before her passing. She was able to see her grandchildren one more time. Heather saw her July 2019 and Thomas and I saw her last March just before covid.
I’d like to believe she let herself go after seeing her family one more time. I’d like to thank Stephanie at st. Joseph’s villa for setting up all our zoom calls and being such a wonderful friend to my mom.
Me, Doug and your grandchildren will miss you.
Til we meet again.
“Death leaves a heartache no one can heal,
Love leaves a memory no one can steal”
So sorry to hear of Nan’s passing..our condolences to her children, remembered from long ago.
Deepest sympathy on the sad loss of aunt Nan -much loved aunt of Jane, Susan and Paula. Dear sister in law of the late Betty, Shirley and Edith – Leeds
Remembering happy days in Leeds