Obituary of Nancy Fraser

74, Wolfville, died at home on Saturday, December 15, 2007. She was born in Wolfville on July 7, 1933, to Anna (Gunn) and Rev. J.P.C. Fraser. She attended schools in Halifax, Regina and Ottawa and obtained a BA ('55) and B Ed ('56) from Dalhousie University. From 1956-58, she taught school music outside Oxford, England, and studied organ performance at Oxford University. Back in Canada, she became Assistant Organist at All Saints Anglican Cathedral in Halifax and engaged in a multitude of musical and cultural activities. She returned to England from 1965-67 to continue organ studies in London, obtaining the diplomas of LRAM and ARCO. Subsequently, she taught school music in Dartmouth, and returned to Dalhousie for an MA in English literature. In 1980 Nancy moved with her spouse to Calgary where she played an active role with the Royal Canadian College of Organists (RCCO), helped to organize many organ recitals and entertained visiting organists from around the world. During this time, she was organist and choir director at Knox Presbyterian Church. In 2000, Nancy and her husband returned to Nova Scotia where she continued her music activities as organist, teacher and choral performer. She inaugurated the Annapolis Valley Centre of the RCCO and served on program committees and boards of music festivals and societies. She also served as music director at St. John's Anglican Church in Wolfville. Nancy was known for her humour, sparkling personality, and for her sharp and inquiring mind, all of which she employed both as a listener and master storyteller. She had the gift of drawing warmth and trust from friends and strangers alike. She was a caring, cheery person, always enthusiastic about some project or subject, whether human or intellectual. Nancy cared deeply about the welfare of others and worked diligently for charitable organizations, social justice, and church and community outreach programs. She passionately loved classical music, fine literature and gardening. She faced her impending demise from cancer matter-of-factly, with sparks of humour showing through to the end. Thankful for many rich years with Nancy are her husband, Dr. Ian McKittrick Harris; her sister, Catherine Verrall; nieces, Krys, Ann and Elizabeth Verrall; nephew, Martin Verrall; cousins, Grace Anne Cochrane, Robert Wright and Bob Gunn; Ian's sister, Carol and brother, Paul, their families, and a host of colleagues and friends. Donations may be made in lieu of flowers to Valley Hospice Foundation, 46 Chipman Dr., Kentville, NS B4N 3V8. A memorial service will be held in St. John's Anglican Church in Wolfville at 2 p.m., Wednesday January 9, 2008. Funeral arrangements are under the care of H.C. Lindsay Funeral Home, 568 Main St., Wolfville (902-542-2151). On-line condolences can be made by visiting: www.hclindsayfuneralhome.ca