Nancy Evelyn Guptill
1941-2020
Guptill – It is with great
sorrow we announce the peaceful passing of Nancy Guptill, age 79, on
August 24th, 2020 at Wedgewood Manor, Summerside surrounded by her
loved ones. Nancy had a love and passion for her family, friends,
music, church, politics and serving her community. She was known for
her quick wit and sense of humour, always infusing a conversation with
joy and laughter while knowing when it was time to get straight to
business. Known primarily as a beloved Canadian and Island politician
of 17 years, prior to her political life she had a short career as a
secretary and then became a Radiotherapy Technician in Halifax where
she started her family. She was a full-time dedicated, loving and
loyal wife and mother who was actively involved with her church and
various community clubs and initiatives when living in Halifax and
Dartmouth Nova Scotia, St. John’s Newfoundland, Bedeque and
Summerside, Prince Edward Island. She was a long time member of St.
Mary’s Anglican Church, Kinette Club of Summerside, and
Liberal Party of PEI and Canada. Nancy started her political career as
a Summerside Town Councilor from 1982-1987. In 1987 she won a
provincial bi-election as an MLA for the Liberal Party of PEI, where
she served 13 years in her roles of Minister of Tourism, Minister of
Labour, Minister Responsible for the Status of Women, Speaker of the
House/Legislative Assembly, and Opposition Critic for Health and
Social Services. It was when she was Speaker in 1993 that she and four
other female politicians became known as PEI’s Famous Five
as they held the top political positions in provincial government for
the first and only time in Canadian history. Following her political
career, Nancy served as Chair of PEI’s Workers Compensation
Board from 2007 until retirement in 2015. Born in Halifax, NS, she was
the daughter of the late Lloyd and Evelyn Garrison. She is predeceased
by her loving husband of 56 years Gregg, brothers Graham, Jack, and
Chuck, sisters Barbara and Marjorie; and survived by her daughters
Krista (John) Roddis, Nancy Beth Guptill and Peggy (Jeff) Malone;
adoring grandchildren Blaire, Jaime and Keegan; sisters Dale Wentzell,
Judy de Decker, Bev Conrod (David), Peggy Grant (Rick), and Debbie
Daiken (Joe); and brother Harold (Janet); many nieces and nephews; and
countless friends. Thank you to all of the staff at Summerset Manor,
Wedgewood Manor, Rev’d Ned Henthorn and Rev’d
Colin Nicolle, who were very caring and supportive. Resting at the
Moase Funeral Home, Summerside. Completed arrangements to be announced
later. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the Heart
and Stroke Foundation of PEI, Alzheimer Society of PEI, or a charity
of choice.
www.moase.ca
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Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Nancy Evelyn Guptill 19412020..
Death notice for the town of: Summerside, Province: I-P-E