Dec 26, 2013

In her 95th year, Nan Alkenbrack died - as she lived - surrounded by her loving family. The youngest daughter of Daniel Rogers and Annie Milligan, Nan was born in Wesley (Newburgh), Ontario. She and her siblings Myrtle, Bess and Jim grew up on the farm and remained close throughout their lives. Nan was an avid student who excelled at the Newburgh Academy, and attended Normal School in Toronto. A passionate educator, Nan enjoyed an illustrious thirty-five year career teaching in several local Lennox and Addington elementary schools. "Mrs. A" inspired thousands of young people to reach their potential and remained in close contact with many of her students and colleagues throughout her lifetime. For Nan, every moment was a teachable moment which she shared in her gentle way.

At a dance pavilion in Deseronto, Nan met her husband-to-be Douglas Alkenbrack. She soon joined the Alkenbrack family, becoming a sister to Doug's four brothers and a much loved daughter-in-law. For 59 years, Nan and Doug were great partners. With their two children, they enjoyed camping, cottaging, and travelling in Canada from east to west. Together, Nan and Doug proudly served their community, with Nan as an integral supporter of Doug's lengthy career as a Member of Parliament in Ottawa.

Nan was extremely devoted to her children Eleanor Grennell (Herb), Doug Alkenbrack (Shelley), and also to her grandchildren Paul (Daphne), Katherine (Bernie), Jennifer (Struan), Sarah (Kevin), and Andrew. Nan spent wonderful weekends at the family cottage on Skootamatta Lake, where she often slept out in the tent with all the kids or held a grammar lesson on the deck overlooking the bay. A keen observer of the wonders of nature, Nan taught her grandchildren to listen to the soughing of the wind in the trees and to gaze in awe at the beauty of Queen Anne's Lace. Later in her life, she continued to teach these important lessons to her nine great-grandchildren Erin, Haley, Megan, Claire, Jack, Molly, Aidan, Zahra and Stella. Nan is predeceased by her brother Jim Rogers and her sisters Elizabeth Hunt and Myrtle MacRow.

Nan was an elegant yet authentic person. She will continue to inspire all those who knew and loved her. Her memory will remind us to live in the moment, to be mindful of our blessings, and to reflect on the beauty of the "dancing daffodils."

The family is grateful for the exceptional support provided by the entire team at the John Parrott Center in Napanee. Their constant care throughout the last three years of Nan's life made all the difference. Special thanks to Cheryl Rattray for the love and care given to Nan and to all of us over the years.

A celebration of Nan's life will be held at the Wartman Funeral Home (Napanee Chapel), 448 Camden Road, Napanee, Ontario K7R 1G1 (613-354-3722). Visitation will take place on Sunday, December 22 from 2-4pm and 7-9pm, with funeral service on Monday, December 23 at 11am. Interment Riverview Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations by cheque can be made to the John M. Parrott Centre or the Lennox and Addington Humane Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

"And then my heart with pleasure fills

And dances with the daffodils."

~William Wordsworth

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