|
In memory of those who have Crossed the Bar
TALBOT, Nancy Collett - With love and deep gratitude, we announce the peaceful passing of our beloved mother and Nana, Nancy Talbot, on April 17, at the age of 102. A true matriarch and inspiration, Nancy lived a truly remarkable life full of adventure, kindness and strength.
Born in East Kelowna in 1922, Nancy spent her childhood in the beautiful Okanagan Mission, where she shared countless joyful summers with her siblings: Leicester, Basil, and Barbara. As a young woman, she answered the call of duty during World War II, serving proudly in the Women's Royal Naval Service (Wrens) from 1943 to 1946. Her time with the Wrens was one marked with a deep sense of purpose and lifelong friendships.
After the war, Nancy married, Dr. Patrick Talbot (DVM) in June 1947. Together, they opened the first veterinary hospital in the Okanagan Valley before moving to California to pursue the horse racing industry. Eventually, they returned to Richmond, where they continued their work in racing and raised their three children. Their marriage spanned 29 devoted years until Pat's passing in 1976.
Nancy was the proud mother of Gerald and Ralph, and was predeceased by her beloved son Kent in June 1983. She was the cherished grandmother of Christopher and Jillian, and a joyful great-grandmother to four great-grandsons.
Nancy had a passion for being outside, from walking to gardening, and made the best chocolate chip cookies known to all those around her. She was known for her resilience, quick wit and wild sense of humor, and her life was a testament to quiet strength and enduring love. After Kent's passing, Nancy embraced the world with a courageous spirit, traveling extensively across Australia, New Zealand, Europe, and on many cruises through the Panama Canal and Caribbean. She remained actively connected to her fellow Wrens, attending reunions well into her later years.
To have known Nancy was to be touched by grace, generosity, and unwavering resilience. She will be remembered not only for her century-long life, but for the joy, wisdom, and stability she brought to her family and friends.
Her legacy lives on in all of us. We are so lucky to have called her ours. It's impossible to capture 102 incredible years in just a few words but we've done our best, and we hope you're looking down on us with that familiar smile. We love you and will miss you always, Mom/Nana. (The Richmond News 01 May 2025)
|
