Nancy passed away peacefully in hospital after a short illness on March 24, 2021 in Victoria BC. Born on August 27, 1921 in West Bromwich, Staffordshire, England, Nan was the loving daughter of George and Myra (Gledhill) Chester and sister of Geoffrey Davidson Chester of Reigate, England (predeceased).
Beloved wife of John (Jack) Cameron Archibald, FCA of Saskatoon and St. Brieux, Saskatchewan (predeceased); cherished mother of Margaret Ann Amoroso (Roger) of Ottawa and William (Bill) Bruce Archibald (Kay Norton), Coquitlam and devoted and loving “Nana” of Geoffrey Norton Archibald and Robert (Rob) Cameron Archibald of Vancouver.
Nan will be deeply missed and warmly remembered by her English cousins including Peter and Jenny Davey and their extended family, Angela King and Hilary Levitt as well as by her many friends in Victoria (including “second daughter” Kathleen Campbell); Vancouver, Saskatoon, Ottawa, England and New Zealand.
Nan will be remembered for her love for and pride in her family, her indomitable spirit and sense of purpose, her generosity, good humour and zest for life. Nan, an architect’s assistant, joined the W.A.A.F in May 1939. Flt/Sgt Chester was “Mentioned in Despatches” on January 1, 1943. She met Jack, an RCAF Squadron Leader, in 1942 over a pint at the Black Swan pub in Stratford-upon-Avon. They were married in September 1943.
As a Canadian War Bride, Nan and her daughter arrived in Canada at Pier 21 nearly 75 years ago aboard the Queen Mary and travelled by train to Saskatoon. There she spent 40 wonderful years on the prairies creating a home for her family and pursuing her many interests and hobbies. In 1985 after Jack’s death, Nan moved to Victoria to be closer to Bill and his family and spent 35 happy years enjoying life to the fullest.
Always active in her community, Nan served as the first president of the Saskatoon YWCA Overseas Wives Club (1946) and was a member of both the Saskatchewan and Canadian War Brides Associations. In the 1960’s Nan served as Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Saskatoon YWCA and was a founding organizer of the YWCA’s Opportunity Shop.
A knowledgeable gardener, Nan had a true “green thumb” which she applied to the beautiful English gardens she created in both Saskatoon and Victoria. She was also a skilled seamstress and knitter, adventurous cook, wine maker and consummate hostess. Nan played golf, enjoyed curling and was a loyal fan of the Saskatchewan Rough Riders. She loved fishing with Jack in Northern Saskatchewan lakes. She and Jack enjoyed many outdoor weekends in their cozy trailer at Redberry Lake during their 20 years as active members of the Saskatoon Sailing Club where they delighted in the camaraderie of its members many of whom became life-long friends.
As a member of the Saskatoon and the Victoria Camera Clubs, she honed her talents as an award-winning nature photographer. Her interest in family history led to a trip to New Zealand to meet newly discovered cousins with shared roots in England.
She loved to travel, making return visits to family and friends in England, exploring Canada and the USA by car with Jack and, among other adventures, touring China by train in the 1990s and visiting the magical Haida Gwaii and the Ninstints. Dogs and cats were special companions to Nan throughout her life whether they were hers, her neighbours’ or her Amoroso grand’kits.
The family offers a heartfelt thank you to the management, staff and friends at Berwick House Seniors’ Residence who provided Nancy with such kindness, friendship and attentive care over the last four years. A special thank you also to the doctors, nurses and staff at the Royal Jubilee Hospital, including the Seniors Outpatient Clinic, for their excellent medical care in recent years.
A Celebration of Nan’s Life will be held later this summer in the Sequoia Centre at McCall Gardens in accordance with Covid guidelines.
In lieu of flowers, in memoriam donations may be made to The BC Children’s Hospital Foundation, the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada, the Victoria Humane Society or a charity of your choice.
Condolences may be offered to the family below.
McCall Gardens
www.mccallgardens.com.
24 Responses
To Nan’s family with deepest sympathy.
Nan was a special lady who loved her family
and her friends felt that same warmth.
She was always up for adventure and lived life
to the fullest.
As a photographer, she is likely up there shooting
in the clouds.
She will be greatly missed by all of us.
I was saddened by the passing of Nan, a beautiful lady. I remember her well from the days she and Jack lived in Saskatoon. I’ve often thought of her since she moved but unfortunately we lost touch. My deepest sympathies to Margaret, Bill and families.
We met Nan through the Victoria Camera Club about 30 years ago. She was a one of a kind lady – so fun, so positive, so full of knowledge and wonderful stories of her past – and she was an excellent photographer and gardener. How we will miss her! We send our sincere sympathy to Margaret and Bill and their families.
Sincere condolences to Bill, Margaret and families. We were so saddened to hear of Nan’s passing. What a mark she left on our world. We can both say that Nan, without a doubt, was the nicest person we had ever met, and we have met many! We looked forward to each time we got together with the MSI group that Jack was involved with. When Nan entered the room it lit up. She taught me so much about photography and shared so many stories of her travels. We cherish the day spent with her on a visit to Victoria and an afternoon spent with her at the local pub! Always positive, always happy. It was contagious! I always said, “when I grow up I want to be like Nan Archibald.” Those of us who had the fortune to have Nan in our life in one form or another were truly blessed. Love you and we will miss you, Nan. Now you and Jack are together. God Bless!