NANCY MERLE BECKWITH

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NANCY MERLE BECKWITH March 26, 1952 - November 20, 2009 Peacefully, at her home on Dingle Street, Nancy slept and joined her parents, Tom and Jessie and brother, Drew Beckwith. Nancy was born at a time when she was not allowed to go to school. Nevertheless, she persevered and overcame so many archaic boundaries. Nancy personified love and caring, especially towards children, the elderly and animals. Her family and friends will tell so many stories of this kind, loving person who loved us unconditionally, as we loved her. She had volumes of Readers Digest books in neat piles that she would spend hours looking through. Nancy loved music and would play her tapes for hours and she especially loved to dance. She had a real zest for life. Her group home family was important to her, living with a number of the same residents for many years. Nancy and her family have been supported for 36 years by Winnserv lnc. They have loved and cared for her in group homes on Alverstone Street, Oxford Street, Wordsworth Way, and Dingle Street. We cannot express our thanks adequately for all the care and love each of the staff have given Nancy. She was employed for over 30 years at Versatech lndustries and was hard pressed to miss even one day of work if sick, but would gladly be coerced into a day off'. In her latter stage, Nancy's faith community at Westwood Presbyterian Church was a very integral part of her life. Her involvement with Rainbow Walk and Camp Arnes were so very important to her and her presence there will be sorely missed. The following poem was very dear to her Mother's heart. The lnnocent She thinks no evil - does no harm, Her disposition is always calm. So full of love and kindness, too, She only sees the good in you. Anger, lust, they're not real Such normal impulses she doesn't feel. She is innocent. This is true - Of hate and fear and things we do. Such perfect trust, so hard to find, Exemplifies her peace of mind. With eyes upturned and heart sincere, Her thoughts may seem quite far from here. A deeper knowledge, yet not expressed, Perhaps she's wiser than the rest. She's sweet and gentle; meek and mild, She's our lovely Down Syndrome Child. Nancy will be lovingly missed by her sisters Brenda Smith (Jim), Janie Patterson (Keith) and many nieces, nephews and cousins. Funeral Service for Nancy will be conducted by Rev. Peter Bush and held at Chapel Lawn Funeral Home, 4000 Portage Ave, on Tuesday November 24th at 3:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, Memorial donations may be made to Winnserv lnc. 101-960 Portage Ave. Winnipeg MB R3G 0R4. Chapel Lawn 885-9715

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Nov 23, 2009