Anne Catherine “Nancy” Whitla

May 13, 1936 — March 21, 2025

Online Obituary and Zoom Streaming Link

Anne Catherine Whitla (née Norman), known as “Nancy,” died on March 21 after a short illness, with her family close by. She was a resident at New Horizon Tower, Toronto, with Bill, her husband of almost 60 years. A social worker in Ottawa and Toronto, as well as in England, a devoted painter throughout her life in a number of different styles, Nancy also had a passionate commitment to social justice, equity, women’s rights, and politics. She was a long-time member of the Anglican Church of the Holy Trinity in Toronto, known to all for a warm welcoming presence!

Nancy was born in Osaka, Japan on May 13, 1936. Her parents, Gwen and Howard Norman were long-time missionaries there for the United Church of Canada. She is survived by her husband Bill, and brother Daniel (Marilyn, deceased) of Kingston. She was predeceased by her sister, Margaret. Nancy and Bill have two much- loved children Becca (Alan) and Michael (Lisa, died by suicide) and four cherished grandchildren, Emma, Jake, Kyle, and David. Her brother-in-law, Norman (Barbara) lives in Arizona. She was also loved by her niece Kathleen (Shaun), and her nephews, Steve, and Rich (father of Riel).

In Japan, Nancy attended Canadian Academy in Kobe until the family left for Canada in 1941 on the last boat, spending the war years in Vancouver. She returned with her family to Matsumoto, Japan, and continued her studies at the US Army School at Osaka, living at Kwansei Gakuin University at Nishinomiya where her parents were teaching. After returning to Canada to complete Grade 13 in Toronto, she attended Victoria College, completing an Honours degree in Philosophy and then a Master of Social Work writing a thesis on discriminatory employment practices against Black people in Ontario. Later she completed two years of study at the Centre for Christian Studies at the University of Toronto.

Nancy’s work took her from mental health hospitals in Weyburn, Saskatchewan, in Nova Scotia, and Ottawa, to hospital social work in Oxford, England and extended employment by the Children’s Aid Society in Toronto, Family Service Association, and the Catholic Children’s Aid Society. She was also an excellent fund-raiser, especially as the national treasurer for the Student Christian Movement of Canada, the treasurer for the High Park NDP Riding Association, and for the World Student Christian Federation. Bill and Nancy met while co- directing an SCM work camp in 1963. She was also the public member of the Council of Physiotherapists of Ontario, a board member of the Canada China Program of the Canadian Council of Churches, and a founding member of the Echo Women’s Choir.

A world traveller, she hitch-hiked through Europe with her friend Anne Snell in the 1950s and later visited Morocco, France, Greece, Lebanon, Iceland, Cuba, Mexico, and China. She lived for 9 years in Japan, five years in England, and a year in Italy. Nancy loved to sing, dance, paint, and visit with people. She delighted in sound and sight, music and movement, capturing colour and light in her art which adorns the walls of family, friends, and admirers, reminders of her warm place in many hearts. A retrospective of her art was held in Toronto in 2022.

Special thanks to New Horizons for their respectful and compassionate care of Nancy.

Donations can be made in Nancy’s name to the following organizations:

Church of the Holy Trinity

Echo Women’s Choir

Student Christian Movement of Canada

New Democratic Party

Doctors Without Borders

Or a charity of your choice.