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- [S4] Obituary.
Nancy Gorham Wiswell Norwood
September 16, 1925 – October 29, 2012
“I bequeath myself to the dirt to grow from the grass I love, If you want me again, look for me under your boot-soles” -- Walt Whitman Gardener. Environmentalist. Philanthropist. Musician. Mother, neighbour, and friend. The life accomplishments of Nancy Gorham Wiswell Norwood are endless in their variety.
On Oct. 29, in the tender care of her special Newfoundland ladies, Linda Bobbett and Shelia Boyles, Nancy Norwood died peacefully the way she wanted to, at home in the presence of her loving sons.
She is survived by John (Pamela) and Christopher Crace of Halifax, Benjamin Fairn of Bermuda, grandsons Jasper and Adrian Crace, and granddaughter Jordan Fairn (Kendaree Burgess). She also leaves many dear relatives, and friends all the richer for having had Nancy in their lives.
Nancy was born in 1925 in Halifax, the youngest child of renowned paediatrician Dr. Gordon B. Wiswell and Dorothy Wiswell. She was named after Nancy Astor who was an inspiration to Dr. Wiswell during his time as a medical officer stationed at Cliveden House during the First World War. A precocious musical prodigy from a young age, the rebel Nancy pursued her love of the piano at Toronto’s Royal Conservatory, in New York, and in London, where she studied at the Royal Academy of Music and performed at Wigmore Hall in the late 1940s. It was while boarding nearby with piano teacher Jean Redcliffe-Maud and John Redcliffe-Maud that she met her future husband, their nephew Christopher “Kiff” Crace. Within weeks of their first brunch at 3 Regent Park Terrace, they were engaged. The wedding took place in Halifax in June 1950, and they returned to live in post-war London while Kiff pursued a diplomatic career with MI5 and Nancy her music. Widowed tragically while they were stationed in Singapore, Nancy returned to England the mother of two and again taught music while living with the Craces in St. Austell, Cornwall and then Henley-on-Thames. Nancy maintained a cherished connection to her adoring English family throughout her life.
In 1958 she returned to Halifax to marry Laird Fairn, the single parent of Patricia (Hastey), Holly, and Robert (deceased). Her youngest son, Benjamin, was born in 1960. During the 60s and 70s, Nancy lived a busy family life putting her gift for organization and zest for life and laughter to good use. Now head of an extended household of six children, she still practiced piano for hours every day and maintained a sporadic concert schedule. This period was fondly remembered for holidays, countless birthdays, and endless summers at their Albany Cross camp spent swimming, fishing, walking, boating, and gardening. In 1977 Nancy and Carlisle Norwood married and spent 28 happy and active years together, mostly at their beloved home at The Narrows in Martin’s River, N.S. There Nancy threw herself wholeheartedly into her flower gardening, bee-keeping, playing tennis, sailing, supporting Carlisle in VANA and Project Ploughshares, and getting involved in many charities and community environmental causes. Over the years, she patronised many contemporary artists and young musicians. During winters in Halifax she enjoyed delivering Meals on Wheels for more than 15 years and audited English classes at Dalhousie with her dear friend Margery Dahn. Widowed again in 2005, Nancy Norwood continued to read voraciously, kept up with current affairs, loved a good debate, and lived every day to the fullest. She stayed close to her family, always making time for recitals, graduations, and holidays. An ardent environmentalist, philosopher, and true lover of the arts, she set a fine example for her family. Nancy’s life’s pleasures ranged from Chopin to Goethe, from birdsong to sunrises, from Belgian chocolate to “the happy hour.” She was truly inspiring and we will miss her always.
A celebration of Nancy’s life will be held at Summer Gardens on Saturday, November 3 from 4 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations to Nancy’s favoured charities are gratefully appreciated: Symphony Nova Scotia, Ecology Action Centre, Parker Street, or the Nova Scotia Nature Trust. Online condolences at www.cruikshankhalifaxfuneralhome.com
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1925 - 2012 (87 years)
. Richard William Benjamin FAIRN, b. 12 May 1960 (Age 64 years)
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