On August 28th, 2020, Nancy Wright passed away very suddenly from a cerebral aneurysm. Nancy was a devoted wife, mother, sister, aunt and friend. She is survived by her loving husband Jason Easton, son Luke Easton, sister Sharon Butler, nephews Adam Butler and Evan Walker, and stepmother Stella Wright. Predeceased by her mother Betty Wright (nee Readman) in 2004 and her father Robert Norman Wright (Lanky Bob) in 2016.
Nancy was born on October 2, 1964, at Royal Columbian Hospital in New Westminster, BC. She grew up in Port Moody, BC, attending Seaview Elementary, Port Moody Junior and Port Moody Senior schools. She was a keen member of her school band and played alto sax, a talent she passed on to her son. Despite all of her world travels, she maintained strong ties to Port Moody and never missed a high-school reunion.
Nancy completed her Diploma in Nursing at Vancouver General Hospital in 1987, her Bachelor of Science in Nursing and Master of Nursing degrees at University of Victoria in 1999 and 2002 respectively, and her Nurse Practitioner designation at University of Northern British Columbia in 2008. Nancy was a devoted Registered Nurse, College and University Instructor and Nurse Practitioner, always striving to advance social justice, fighting the good fight in her life and through her work.
Nancy loved to travel, was passionate about music, and was an arbiter of taste. Beneath her signature shock of flame-coloured hair and pierced nose, she was a truly modern alternative lady, who managed to infuse joy, art and music into everyone’s life. She travelled the world working as a nurse in places ranging from Saudi Arabia to the Yukon. She backpacked through Europe, Central America, Southeast Asia, Egypt and Kenya. With her travel partner, life partner, and eventually husband Jason, she trekked in Nepal and India, and presented her Master’s thesis in South Korea. After Luke came along, the family explored her Viking heritage in Norway, and travelled around Canada, the USA, the UK, and Europe. Along the way she collected a huge swath of friends, with whom she kept in regular touch.
Nancy rested on life support in the Intensive Care Unit at the Royal Jubilee Hospital in Victoria, for 24 hours until the family could say goodbye. The BC Transplant team was able to find matches for her pancreas, lungs, liver and kidney. In this way, Nancy is still helping others. Due to COVID-19, a private memorial service will be held.
Nancy’s family has decided to create an award in Nancy’s name in the School of Nursing, at University of Victoria. Donations are welcome. Kindly mail cheques made out to “University of Victoria” with “Nancy Wright Nursing Award” in the memo line.
Send to: Development Officer; Human and Social Development, University of Victoria, P.O. Box 1700 STN CSC, Victoria, BC, V8W 2Y2, or donate on line at https://extrweb.uvic.ca/giveonline.
Condolences may be offered to the family below.
McCall Gardens
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75 Responses
My deepest condolences to you all, Nancy’s family, her dear friends and her many colleagues. I am so very saddened by her loss to this world. I have known Nancy over many years as a colleague at UVic School of Nursing, within the community of NP’s and as a fellow NP have had the extreme honour of covering her local practice this year as she joined family adventures. She leaves a great legacy of teaching, leadership, compassion and clinical excellence for all those she touched. It was always clear that her patients and co-workers admired her, were inspired by her, and felt cared for by her. I feel blessed to have known her.
Mani Bhasin, Physician colleague
My family and I express our deepest condolences on her untimely passing away and are filled with unmeasurable grief and sadness at the tragic loss. We hope and pray for the family to have the strength to bear the loss.She will be missed by her colleagues and patients alike.She was a wonderful , kind and amazing person with a great energy and enthusiasm for life. RIP.
I’m so sorry for your loss sending you and Luke healing vibes and strength. I ran into Nancy just before you guys moved from James Bay she beamed with pride when she talked about you & Luke. Holding your family in my prayers.
Nancy, you were the best sister we could ever have hoped for. We will miss you forever. Our deepest sympathies to our brother Jason and nephew Luke.
Nancy was like a little sister to me. She was always caring, smart, independent and spoke her mind. She was a leader, not a follower and could not be easily swayed. This strength carried her though her professional and personal life. She had a great sense of humour and I loved the way she always unabashedly swore a blue streak.
She was a pillar of strength and I’m sure her patients could lean hard on her, as her friends and family surely could. I am so sad for her family. This will be a hard road for a while, but she will watch over and protect them from the great beyond.
Jason, Luke & family. I am so sad to hear of Nancy’s passing she will always be in your hearts . Another angel to look after us.
A beautiful tribute for a beautiful woman inside and out. Jason and Luke -my love and thoughts are with you both…
And I know her energy and light will always be near.
Heartfelt condolences to Jason, Luke, family and friends of the lovely Nancy Wright. During her time in the Yukon Nancy and her positive colourful vibes suffused her fellow workers at WGH – I don’t think I ever met her without a big smile on my face and a laugh not far behind. Thank-you for letting us know she was an organ donor…May her light travel with you all the rest of your lives.
Dean Jason and Luke, I was shocked and saddened to learn of Nancy’s untimely death. My heart goes out to both of you. Nancy and I taught together in the NP program at UVic before she left to pursue her passion to practice as an NP. She touched many lives, including future NPs who carry on her legacy in how they practice and care for people everyday. She is missed but her legacy continues in so many ways. Blessings, Esther
Our deepest condolences to the family. Our prayers are with you in this very difficult time.