Nancy Florenstine Chartrand

Nancy Chartrand of Duck Bay, MB, passed away suddenly at the Health Sciences Centre in Winnipeg, Manitoba on June 1, 2021 at the age of 58 years. 

Nancy (Goatie) was predeceased by her father Gaspard, mother Martha, brothers Elbert and Daniel, her big sister Pauline, nieces Madison and Sadies .  She leaves to mourn her children Sonya (John), Trayden, Isaiah, little Martha and baby Ron, brothers David (Glorian) and Walter (Lyn), sisters Frances (Charles) and Rita (Al), sister-in-law Bernice, brother-in-law German and numerous nieces and nephews, extended family and friends that she loved so dearly. 

Nancy was born on December 12, 1962 in Swan River and was raised in the Metis village of Duck Bay. Nancy was brought up by her loving mother to be a strong, proud Metis woman who lived the traditions of her family and passed them along to her children.  You would often see Nancy patiently teaching the little ones how to swim, cook, bake, sew, make fire, singe ducks and geese, make bannock and carve moose meat at the kitchen table alongside her mother.

Nancy graduated from ACC with an Early Childhood Education Diploma and studied and received a Diploma in Business Administration.  Nancy worked at Abinoje Aboriginal Head Start in Duck Bay until she was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease and was forced to retire with a disability pension.

Nancy never let Parkinson’s stop her.  She continued to care for her mother and taught the older kids to drive and to get into and stay out of trouble!  She would often “sneak” away from everyone and go on a road trip – usually with her little side kick Trayden who was always by her side.

Nancy was a woman of silent strength. As the years deteriorated her body, she never complained and faced every day with hope and courage.  She loved new adventures, spending time with her family and close friends, and especially loved her time spent with her best friend Julien and dear friend Ruth, who was like a sister to her.

She dedicated her life to taking care of her mother Martha, lived with her, and honoured her till her mother’s passing in 2013.  Along the way, she cared for so many children who were blessed to have had Nancy’s love. 

Public viewing was held from 5:00 - 7:00 pm on Sunday June 13, 2021 at Sneath-Strilchuk Family Care Centre in Dauphin.  All were welcome to pay their respects and were asked to please follow COVID restrictions.

A Private Prayer service was held for Nancy following viewing at 7:00 p.m.   Live streaming of the service is available on the Sneath-Strilchuk Facebook Page https://m.facebook.com/sneathstrilchukfuneralservices.

Family and friends are also invited to pay their respects at the St. Thomas Aquinas Roman Catholic Church in Duck Bay, Manitoba on Monday June 14, 2021 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.  Due to COVID restrictions, a private Mass will be held for Nancy at the Duck Bay Church at 2:00 p.m. for immediate family members only.  A sound system will broadcast the service outside the Church for those who wish to participate from their vehicles.  An interment will follow at the Duck Bay Cemetery.  Everyone is invited to join the family but are asked to stay in their vehicles. 

The family would like to thank Dr VanAlstyne and the Swan River Emergency Services Team for their care and compassion and all our family and friends for their love and support during this time of mourning.  We ask that all visitors and family adhere to COVID-19 restrictions and protocols as we honour Nancy’s life. 

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Nancy Florenstine Chartrand, please visit our floral store.