It is with devastating sadness that we announce that our beloved sister, age 60, of Vernon BC, passed away peacefully of natural causes on March 24, 2020. Nancy fell in love with the Rockies on a family camping trip to BC in the summer of 1976, and upon graduating high school in 1977, hopped a train to Calgary with our first cousin Jeff. Following a Christmas trip home, Nancy became homesick and returned to Ottawa in the winter of 1978. But the Rockies continued to call to her. Nancy attended Carleton University and Ottawa University, earning her B.Ed. in 1985. At the time, teaching opportunities in our home town of Ottawa were scarce, so Nancy seized an opportunity to teach English to the indigenous children of Black Lake SK. For a time, Nancy lived in Stony Rapids SK and co-owned and -operated Snowbird Aviation. In 1990, Nancy relocated to BC and worked with Vernon’s School District 22 until her retirement in August 2019. From 1990-2000, she worked at Alexis Park Elementary School, and from 2000-2019, at Open Door Education Centre in Vernon. Nancy spent most of her career personalizing learning for many students who struggled with regular schooling. She was a dedicated professional who loved teaching. She found great joy in each student’s success and in turn, every student who worked with Nancy experienced the benefit of her teaching abilities. Nancy retired as Head of the English Department at Open Door Education Centre in Vernon BC. Nancy loved to knit and sew, and enjoyed Netflix, needlepoint, and even tried her hand at painting and stained glass. She loved the outdoors and was an avid walker and bicycler. She spent many happy hours at her favourite local beaches, and relaxing on her back patio. Nancy loved to escape the chilly winter, and travelled south with her “Heart”, sister Kim, sharing many adventures south together. Nancy was also a great animal lover, and owned two horses in her early twenties. She also dearly loved her Alaskan Malamute Amber, who came to her as a puppy in Stony Rapids. In 2014, Nan found a loving, new companion in a beautiful, black cat named Cairo. Nan and ‘Sir’ met at the Vernon SPCA and it was love at first sight. Sir Cairo patrolled the grounds of their condo development with Nancy at least twice each day, and was much fawned over by friends and neighbours. Nancy is predeceased by her parents, Robert and Gail Scharff of Greely ON. She is survived by many aunts, uncles, cousins, nephews Colin and Joshua, nieces Britney, Shy and Jodin, and four sisters: Kim (Albert) of Kentville NS, Leigh (Alan) of Seymour CT USA, Joy (Sam) of Afton NS, and Wanda of Pembroke ON. Please sign our online guestbook; anecdotes about Nancy would be most welcome. Donations in Nancy’s memory may be made to the BC SPCA or your local Food Bank. Nancy will live on forever in all our hearts. Kim, Leigh, Joy, and Wanda.
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Nancy Lynne Scharff March 24th 2020..
Death notice for the town of: Vernon, Province: Colombie britanique