de CANDOLE, Nancy
Nancy de Candole passed away peacefully at Qualicum Manor in the early morning hours of Dec 3, 2007. She was 96.
She was predeceased by her husband Corry, brothers Charles and Arthur Luce and sisters Rachel Nash and Kathleen Luce. She is survived by her four children: daughters Janet Holt and Clare Bennett (Keith) and sons James and Richard (Wendy), grandchildren David, Jon, Richard, Simon, Andrew, Cris, Nicola, Emily and Derek and nine great-grandchildren.
Nancy was born on April 25, 1911 in Derby, England. She was the youngest of five children of Richard and Mary Luce. Her father was a medical doctor who during World War I served as the Director of Medical Services of the Egyptian Expeditionary Force and later became a Member of the British Parliament. As a teenager Nancy attended Sandecotes School for Girls where she excelled in music and was chosen head girl in her final year. In 1931 she attended the Royal College of Music in London obtaining an A.R.M.C. in piano. While in London she met her husband Corry and they were married on Jan. 30, 1933 in Bombay where Corry had received his first posting as a medical doctor with Royal Army Medical Corp. They returned to England prior to World War II then in 1951 immigrated to Canada where Corry took positions as a physiologist with the Department of National Defence first at a research lab outside Medicine Hat, Alberta then in Toronto. In 1965 they retired to a former Doukhobor farm outside Qualicum Beach, a forested sanctuary she enjoyed for over 40 years. Nancy taught piano for nearly 70 years and was an inspiration and guiding light to many students. Many people were also touched by her deep Christian faith and generous heart. As a young mother attending a free church in Scotland she came alive in the spirit and committed her life to His service. In the 1950s she became an Associate with the Sisters of St. John the Divine based in Toronto. As a long-time member of St. Mark’s Anglican Church she served as choir director and warden and was a founding member of the Peace & Environment Committee as well as an inter-denominational meditation group. She was also very active in the Oceanside arts community and served as pianist for the Parksville Community Choir for many years. In lieu of flowers please make donations to a charity of your choice.
The family wishes to say thank you to the wonderful staff at Qualicum Manor for their love and care over the last two years. Also thank you to Rev. Alan Naylor and Ron Yates for their help and support. A memorial service will take place on Saturday, Dec. 8 at 11 a.m. at St. Mark’s Anglican Church, Qualicum Beach.