Nancy
Nancy spent her childhood in Fort William, attending Franklin Street School and spending summers at Dease Pool. Like many, she moved from the city in early adulthood and spent 10 years in Toronto. She spent her years there organizing recreational activities and while traveling two hours to cross country ski was the norm in southern Ontario, it was nice to be back in Thunder Bay where 20 minutes is a lengthy drive. “I loved living in Toronto but I am so grateful, now that I've been back in Thunder Bay for about 30 years, that I came back. I'm proud of our town - with all it's quirkiness, it is a good place to live and find your community. I met my husband 20+ years ago and was proud to help raise 3 kids in TBay. And 2 of those kids are still in Thunder Bay - to me that shows that Thunder Bay is a good city to call home.”
Nancy is a woman on the move and likes to keep busy learning new things. “I learned to swim when I was 55 and invited friends to cheer me on at my birthday celebration at Heath Pool in Westfort. That was one of my proudest moments - seriously!” She travelled solo for a year when she was younger and considers that some of the best education she could have received. Envious of those with a backpack and open to whatever the day brings, she is hopeful she can hit the road again soon. In the meantime, she feeds the travel bug with travel shows such as PBS' Rick Steves. She had also joined a choir in recent years in order to keep up her singing, though she has one annoying habit - “[I make up] my own lyrics to songs. Who cares if what I sing isn't what the song writer intended!”
Quick and easy advice from Nancy about how to embrace the city - “Talk to people. Smile. Walk in different neighbourhood. Ask folks for their recommendations for food... without a tip I never would have known about the incredible smoked bacon available at the Commissary in the East End.”
Picking just one favourite place in Thunder Bay was not possible for Nancy. Just a few of her favourites are Chippewa Park, Vickers Park, the walking trails around the Friendship Gardens into the golf course and along the river, Heath Pool, Mission Marsh Conservation Area, Boulevard Lake, the thrift stores, the conservatory, Dolce coffee shop, anywhere outdoors... her home (though I don’t think we’re allowed in there without an invitation… not yet anyway!)
Nancy is a part of a large network for volunteer managers, TBAVA, as well as has started a grassroots business for people over 60 called AgeBIG. Inspired by her 101 year old mom, Sis, the project aims to help age gratefully, inquisitively, boldly, and most importantly, as independently as possible. She has also founded WALKstock, Thunder Bay's Festival of Walking. “It's a dream of mine that that will return - if anything has helped people destress during COVID it's going out for a walk - for exercise but more importantly to have a chance to talk to others!”
A woman born in the north, one thing she cannot live without is the seat warmer in her car.
Nancy has taken this time and learned a lot about herself and others. Like many, she has come to appreciate her friends and neighbours more - she enjoys her coffee more with company, has picked up the phone more to talk with people she may not have spoken to awhile and ensures to check in with the seniors in the community who live alone and need a friendly voice. Getting through the last year and adapting has required a lot of creativity and she believes that will carry us through. She has also learned she’s capable of completing a jigsaw puzzle (not clear on the number of pieces of said puzzle though!)
“I hope that the lessons we are learning every day through this time will carry over to our lives post-COVID. Patience and gratitude are lessons that we all need reminders to work on.”