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NANCY ADKINS
Nancy Margaret Adkins died on September 26, 2023. She passed away peacefully at home with her husband Robert (Bob) at her side.
Nancy was born in 1951 to her parents, Thomas and Margaret Cundall. She grew up at 91 Atlantic Avenue in the North End of Winnipeg with her four brothers (Barry, Don, Jim, and Allan) and two sisters (Lillian and Kathie). Nancy and Bob had three children, Mark (Wendy), Sam (Danielle) and Matthew (Sarah), and seven grandchildren, Jake, Rylan, Maxwell, Grace, Scarlet, Avery, and Marielle. Nancy loved all of them deeply.
Nancy was proud of growing up in the North End. She went to Luxton School and St. John’s High School. As a child, she took the train with her family to Victoria Beach every summer, and later Nancy and Bob bought a cottage on 8th Avenue that their family enjoyed for many years. She had an important relationship with her dad, who she lost at a young age. Nancy’s parents instilled in her a deep commitment to education and social responsibility, values that made her a fierce advocate for people throughout her life. After her mother passed away, Nancy established an annual book award at Luxton School in her honour.
Nancy graduated with a degree in Pedagogy from the Faculty of Education at the University of Manitoba. She was a teacher for over 40 years in the Winnipeg public school system, starting her career at Victory School in Seven Oaks. She later taught in the Winnipeg School Division at LaVérendrye, Lord Roberts, and Roberston. Nancy was a Special Education Resource Teacher, advocating for inclusion in the classroom and ensuring all students had the opportunity to participate in regular programming. Nancy was the driving force in establishing childcare at Roberston School, Inspired by Wonder, which continues to serve the North Point Douglas community today. Nancy loved her job and could hardly believe she was paid to be a teacher.
Nancy had an abiding interest in people, and an incredible network of friends across the city. Nancy got to know people intimately and put their needs above all else. She was invariably finding schools for families, connecting people to jobs and homes, arranging childcare, and organizing medical appointments. Nancy organized and connected people – whether you wanted it or not – at a level that was unmatched.
Nancy served on the Board of Directors of the Misericordia Health Centre Foundation and was actively involved in the campaign cabinet for the SSCY Centre (Specialized Services for Children & Youth). It was her informal contributions that stood out. One of her many contributions was leading a local group in sponsoring a Syrian refugee family in coming to Canada. The Al Hassan family quickly became part of Nancy’s family, with each learning so much from the other. More recently, Nancy has been involved in supporting a number of Ukrainian refugees arriving in Winnipeg.
Most of all, Nancy loved her family. She treasured holidays together with her children and grandchildren, in particular summers on Corkscrew Island at Lake of the Woods. Walking along the path to Grandma’s cottage was a rite of passage for her many grandchildren. Crafts (and chocolate bars) were always waiting. This past summer was the most special of all.
A service will be held to celebrate Nancy’s life at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 5 at Chapel Lawn Funeral Home, 4000 Portage Avenue.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks you to consider making a donation to the Children’s Heritage Education Endowment Fund with the Winnipeg School Division. Donations may be made in the name of the Margaret Cundall and Nancy Adkins Literacy Fund for Luxton School.
As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Sep 30, 2023
Condolences & Memories (18 entries)
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Nancy was a true gem! My condolences to the family. - Posted by: Josephine Bray (Co worker) on: Oct 19, 2023
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Dear Bob and family: How sad to hear of Nancy's passing. I worked for many years at Robertson School with Nancy. She became a dear friend and co-worker, and mentor to many that she crossed paths with over the years. I'm sending my heartfelt sympathies and condolences at this most difficult time. Stay strong for one another, and always keep Nancy in your hearts. ...Marilyn Corbitt - Posted by: Marilyn Corbitt (Friend and past co-worker) on: Oct 12, 2023
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Nancy, I will miss you terribly. Various words and phrases come to mind when I think of you. These are only a few: thoughtful, sometimes strongly opinionated, having a voice for the underdog, inviting, always generous, empathetic, having strong positive values, proud of her "North end" roots, supportive of everyone else, kind, fun loving, close to her family, close to her friends, someone who made friends easily and had many friends, a benefactor of important causes, someone who wanted to make a difference in life, enthusiastic, someone who did make a difference with her life....... May we who called you our friend, carry on your work, live your values, and make positive contributions in your absence, and with your joy and zest. Your pal, Cathie Lee - Posted by: Cathie Lee (friend for decades) on: Oct 07, 2023
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I am truly saddened Aunt Nancy has passed. I have very fond memories of spending time with her and Uncle Bob at the cottage during summer break with the family driving in from Ontario. Whether it was running up the sand dunes at the beach, walking to the store for ice cream, or lying on the cottage floor reading comic books. It was a special time and I cherish those memories she created. - Posted by: Ian Fudge (Nephew) on: Oct 04, 2023
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We met the Adkins a few years ago through mutual friends (the Cramps). It was obvious from the get-go that Nancy was an awesome lady and that she and Bob were a wonderful couple. That Nancy will be dearly missed by many is definitely an understatement. Deanne & Bill McDonald - Posted by: Deanne & Bill McDonald (Friends) on: Oct 03, 2023
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I was so fortunate to hire Nancy on our staff at Ecole La Verendrye School at the recommendation of another staff member. She was an unbelievable caring and dedicated teacher. Luckily her boys also attended La Verendrye and so we were doubly blessed. My deepest sympathy and condolences to you Bob and the rest of the family - Posted by: Aurel Richard (co-worker) on: Oct 03, 2023
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Nancy was so kind, generous and caring! She was a foundational member of the SSCY capital campaign!! She was so committed to the children and youth that SSCY served! She will be so missed indeed! - Posted by: Jeanette Edwards (Friend) on: Oct 02, 2023
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Mrs. Adkins was my Grade 4 and 5 teacher at Victory School the first school she taught at. She was my favorite elementary school teacher. I was a shy scared child coming from a 2 room school house to a "big" school, she was very kind and helpful to that little girl. The one thing that stands out was the one year on our field trip we were to go to Fort Gary out on Main street, but when we got there it was pouring so both the grade 5 classes got on the bus and Mrs. Adkins said that we were going to her apartment and not back to school, it was so different for a teacher to do that as most would just take us back to school and go back to teaching us. Grade 5 was the last year she was at Victory and she and my grade 6 teacher made sure that I would ease into grade 6 easily that they set up meetings with me to get me use to my new teacher. No other teacher had ever done that for me before. I wish that I could have seen her again during my school years or later on to tell her Thank you. My condolences to her whole family as she was a lovely person and a awesome teacher. - Posted by: Benita Delfing (Former Student from Victory School) on: Oct 02, 2023
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I had the great pleasure of working with Nancy at La Verendrye School. She was great fun and a natural teacher. She always talked so lovingly about her boys and she was so proud of them. I am so sorry for her family and know they have many wonderful memories of her. Penny Vatnsdal - Posted by: Penny Vatnsdal (Co-worker at La Verendrye School) on: Oct 01, 2023
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Dearest Bob. You know me. I am almost as talkative as Nancy and even more verbose in my emails, so I don't think this site is going to let me say everything I want to say about the singular woman who was your wife and who to my utter joy became such a wonderful friend so late in my life. Truly 10 years has felt like a lifetime. So many mini adventures and good endeavors and So Much hilarity and immense kindness to me. I am going to send a longer private email. But please share with your children & grandchildren - especially the latter - because there is a not so hidden lesson that they should be oh so curious and openminded and optimistic about people and life just like Nancy was. And that someday Fate - like it did for me - may just ever so kindly & quite miraculously just simply Plop a new person into their lives, who becomes a incredibly generous soulmate friend. One who might even cause them to chuckle with delight because they remind them - if only a little - of their exceptional Grandmother. My deepest condolences to you and all your family. And to your myriad friends in Winnipeg lucky enough to have enjoyed her unique presence/her uplifting force of nature much longer than I did. Mary Ellen - Posted by: Mary Ellen Cooke (friend) on: Oct 01, 2023
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Bob, Words cannot adequately express my sympathy for the tragedy of the loss of Nancy. My heart goes out to you and your entire family at this most difficult time, and I hope that the memories you all share will bind you together with the strength to get beyond the sorrow of this day. My sincerest sympathy. - Posted by: Wayne Rosin (Friend) on: Sep 30, 2023
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Nancy has been my friend for over 30 years; we first met at Robertson school where she mentored me as a new teacher. She was always full of praise and encouragement, fun to be with, mischievous and always generous with her possessions and her time. She knew my entire family and they count her as a friend as well; we visited her cottage many summers. When we had a house fire she helped organize a school Christmas hamper for us and then she brought over her own hamper - full of junk food: "I know what your kids really want" she laughed. I could have a deep thoughtful conversation with her or a good laugh over a goofy joke. I so admired her tenacity to deal with hard situations and her spirit in very tragic times. I know how much she loved her family and to them I offer my thanks for sharing her with me, and my heartfelt sympathy at their incredible loss. I will miss Nancy always. - Posted by: Claire Sutton (friend) on: Sep 30, 2023
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Nancy’s love for life, her love for her family, friends, and strangers and caring for everyone and everything was one of the first things I admired about her. I was not only her hairstylist for many years. I am proud and honoured to have called her my friend. She was always ready and willing to help me in every way, and I will always be eternally grateful. My thoughts and prayers are with you, Bob and your family. Nancy will be greatly missed. She was an inspiration to me, an imprint of love, caring and giving I shall carry out in her memory. Blessings to all of you, Jan Demeduk 🙏🏻 - Posted by: Jan Demeduk (Hairstylist/Friend) on: Sep 30, 2023
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Thank you for always helping my autistic son Evan at Robertson School. You made learning fun. Just amazing your accomplishments. "THE ETERNAL OPTIMIST " - Posted by: Cheryl Sudyko (Student's parent) on: Sep 30, 2023
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Nancy and I both grew up at Luxton school where we both volunteered in Mrs. Thexton's kindergarten class during recess breaks. She was a bossy, fun girl then, and grew to be a lovely strong woman with a wonderful sense of humour. Our paths crossed again as old ladies! We managed a lovely lunch and catch-up session and I treasure this moment. Nancy.. we'll have to have that second coffee break when we meet again. I look so forward to it! Condolences to the entire family....you had a marvelous lady in your lives. -Mary Hagman - Posted by: mary hagman (old school mate and friend) on: Sep 30, 2023
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My condolences to Nancy's family. Nancy had a huge heart- and the kindness to reach out to a single mother struggling emotionally. I'll always remember that kindness- it made a difference. - Posted by: Lise Bettens (Acquaintance ) on: Sep 30, 2023
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Nancy was a great friend from Sunday School, Luxton, St. John's High School and on through our golden years. Almost 70 years of friendship. I'm humbled by the life she led and by the contributions she made to the lives of others. We've lost a great humanitarian. God bless her (I'm 100% certain he already has). - Posted by: Reid Linney (Friend) on: Sep 30, 2023
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Sad loss of a lovely lady. My deepest condolences. Lesley Baizley - Posted by: Lesley Baizley (Friend) on: Sep 30, 2023
