Obituary
In the presence of love, with her husband and sons by her side, Nancy Inness Schibler passed peacefully on August 30th, 2022 at the Victoria General Hospital in Halifax, Nova Scotia. She was very grateful for the care she received from the Palliative Care Unit and QEII Cancer Care Centre.
The daughter of the late Jerry B Nickerson and Jean (Inness) Nickerson-Lloyd, she was born in North Sydney June 6, 1946.
Nancy is survived by her husband of fifty-four years, Eric L Schibler, with her sons Eric (Kirsten) and her grandkids Ian and Ava in Newfoundland and Brian (Jennifer) and her grandkids Lily and Lucas in Pennsylvania. Her brothers Jerry (Jean) and Harold (Dolores), along with Eric, reside in Nova Scotia. She undeniably cared for us all.
Nancy felt blessed to have a large number of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends who were very dear to her heart. Her first cousin Elaine (MacDonald) Reynolds was more like a sister. She wanted them to know just how special they are and asked they recall all the good times that were shared – all were welcomed to her dinner table.
Nancy began her Nursing career training at the Royal Victoria Hospital in Montreal living in Redpath Student Residence developing close friendships that lasted a lifetime.
We like to recall her adventurous spirit – bungee jumping off the Kawarau Bridge in New Zealand, backpacking across Europe fresh out of High School, flying small engine aircraft, fishing salmon in New Zealand, New Brunswick and Labrador, as well as trekking into the Cape Breton Highlands to – of course – fish from morning until moonlight. This encouraged us to go after our goals – whatever they may be.
Although she was undoubtably the glue that kept our family together – tennis was the sport that kept us playing together. The most important match occurred on a Montreal court that set the stage for a wonderful love story and the start of it all. Tennis provided some epic battles between friends and family in many places over many years – we all enjoyed the rivalries.
Throughout her lifetime she exemplified compassion, caring and determination – traits we will strive to emulate in her memory. She reminded us how fortunate we have been and the importance of sharing and helping others. Over the years Nancy demonstrated her support of others less fortunate as Chair of the Sydney Transition House. While growing her family she pivoted into selling real estate in Cape Breton for many years. Again – it was more about making friendships than a sale.
In lieu of flowers she asked for a simple act of kindness towards others or contribution to the Canadian Cancer Society.
A celebration of life will be held at a future date in Ingonish, NS – her favorite place on earth. It is a special place for our family where Nancy loved to work on her gardens, ski Cape Smokey (often by the fireplace), play tennis, school us in crib, and above all cast a line.
Her poem that follows attests to her love for Ingonish. “Down North Six” references a condominium that was shared with very special friends for over twenty-three years.
Down North Six
As winter winds blow snow around
And these heavy coats and boots abound,
I often drift in friendly thought
To another place I like a lot.
I see sunlight dancing through the leaves,
The hummingbirds, the squirrels and bees,
Shimmering water, mountain fed,
The glowing moon upon my bed.
I hear children’s laughter, dogs at play,
The growl of trucks as they round the bay,
The water lapping on the shore,
The slam of doors and much, much more.
Chirping birds, the beat of wings,
The cry of gulls, and other things,
The gentle rain upon the sill,
And Celtic music from the Hill.
I feel the sun embrace my neck,
As I sit idly on the deck,
And let the stress of hectic days,
Drift out of sight in summer haze.
With summer come, no need for dreams,
For finally here I am it seems.
I love this spot, the whole darn mix,
I’ve arrived at “Down North Six”.
– Nancy Schibler
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Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Nancy Inness Schibler 2022..
Death notice for the town of: St-John’s, Province: T-N
So sorry to hear this, my sympathies to all the family, thinking if you at this time
I have such wonderful memories of our tennis days in North Sydney and Ingonish .My sister Judy and Nancy were friends :grew up as young children as next door neighbours on View Street, ….I was so grateful to join that fun group. Nancy Nickerson Sheila Thorpe ,Janet Jesty ,Judy Mac Donald were an awesome force on the tennis courts on the circuit in Sydney/North Sydney…Great summers at the camp grounds in Ingonish. We helped Mr Mc Lellan roll the clay courts and we played for hours…
Kick the can in Nickerson’s backyard …after dinner was a regular event. ,ping pong matches in their garage😊….And Nancy had a horse!!!!
Nancy was one of a kind.Gentle ,caring and thoughtful.A beautiful person.
When she and Eric and Eric Junior were in Toronto we reconnected for a time but sadly lost touch.
Nancy had a lovely gentle smile
A wonderful sense of adventure and her inner calm never wavered.
Please accept our sincere condolences.🛐💗
Brian and Heather (Mac Donald)Bellmore
Our deepest thoughts are with you all. Nancy was a good special lady.
She was a friend extraordinary
& a
great friend
to the Duncan’s family. And that will always be True , our best Nancy & Frank Layden
Knowing Margaret and Carson