Nan Buchanan

Buchanan - Nan

Passed peacefully on Wednesday, August 21, 2019, age 98 years. Beloved wife of the late Kent (Buck) Buchanan. Treasured mother of Alan (Mary), Betty-Ann Gilliland (Dan), Bob (Helen), Sue Pierce (Rusty) and Sheila Buchanan (Joe Agueci). Predeceased by her son Jim. Loving Nana of Stephanie, Trevor, Devin, Jesse, Dan, Nick, and Jeanne. Great grandmother to 6.

Born Nan Griffiths in Wales, Nan was the youngest of four. Her father, the local school master, had high standards for his children, instilling in them a  lifelong thirst for knowledge and a desire to excel. Orphaned at the age of 14, Nan chose to seek her fortune in London, England where she rose quickly through the ranks of Freeman’s, England’s first mail order company. When WWII triggered the arrival of Canadian troops, Nan met and married a young officer, Kent (Buck) Buchanan. He survived Italy and she survived the bombings in London, and at war’s end they, along with their firstborn Alan, crossed the Atlantic on the Queen Mary to start a new life in Canada. For the next thirty years Nan supervised the frequent postings of her ever-expanding family until Buck retired from his military career in Ottawa. Settled at last and with children leaving home, Nan was able to use her skills to work with the Children’s Aid Society promoting the infant stimulation program focussing on mothers at risk.  Nan was extroverted and civic-minded, always involved with her local church. Her interests were wide-ranging and she enjoyed bridge, book groups and her Margaret Morris Movement. In retirement she and Buck split their time between the cottage, where she loved to be in the water especially for her 7am swim, and their house on the river in Manotick.

But above all she treasured her family and would follow them to the ends of the earth, which she did quite regularly, visiting her family in Australia, BC, Michigan and the U.K.

The 2 great tragedies in her life were the death of her son, Jim age 21, and the loss of her beloved Buck age 92, from which she never fully recovered. But she pressed on regardless, fueled by her energy and her sense of adventure. This motivated her to make her last two big voyages at the age of 88 and 89 to Australia and England chaperoned by her son Alan. She celebrated her 90th birthday in Victoria, among friends and family before having her many opinions quieted by a stroke. She spent her final years at Orchard Walk Retirement Home in Greely. Heartfelt thanks go to the staff there for their kindness and their respect of Nan’s fierce desire to maintain her independence.

Friends may attend a visitation at St. James Anglican, 1138 Bridge St., Manotick on Tuesday, August 27 th from 10 a.m. until of funeral service at 11 a.m. Those wishing may make memorial donations to the Heart and Stroke Foundation or the Dementia Society.

Arrangements entrusted to the care of the Kars Chapel of Tubman Funeral Homes.  Condolences, donations or tributes may be made at  www.tubmanfuneralhomes.com