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~. 24- Friday, August 1, 1997 ~ North Shore News

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ervice marked Bell- -Irving’ S life

By Layne Christensen

News Reporter
layne@nsnews.com

NANCY Bell-Irving,
former chatelaine of
Government House,
died at Lions Gate -
Hospital July 24.
Bell-Irving, ‘ nee Nancy
isobel Symes, was the wife of
former — lieutenant-governor
Henry. P. Bell-Irving, who
served as the Queen’s represen-

tative in B.C. from 1978 to

© 1983.
Nancy. Bell- -Irving was
admitted to. hospital July 19

and suffered a severe stroke |
while’ in care. She was  sur-

rounded by family when she
died. She was 84.

Bell-Irving had been in fail-
ing health since a bypass opera-
tion five years ago. Michael
Roberts, private secretary to
the lieutenant-governor, said
she did not let frail health inter-
fere with her active private life
and community service.

“She overcame her medical
challenges in ~ fairly ‘typical
Nancy Bell-Irving fashion,”

said Roberts. “She was quite an
indomitable spirit.”

Said son Roderick Bell-
Irving of his mother’s strength
and dignity during her final

“: years: “Never once did anyone

hear her complain, seek pity or

even suggest thar she was not

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well. Instead, true to her char-
acter Mum was always thinking
of others, never herself.”
Lt.-Gov, Garde B. Gardom
said Nancy Bell-Irving was a
role model for all who knew
her. “Her life was one of service
— kindly service — to her fam-
ily, to her community, province
and country,” Gardom said.
The Bell-Irvings lived in
West Bay and the British
Properties before moving to
Kerrisdale in the 1960s and
Government House in 1978.
Tt was during Henry Bell-
Irving’s time in office that the
couple decided to retire in West
Vancouver, They purchased a
condominium on Folkestone
Way and moved there in 1983

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During, her years in
Victoria, Rell-Irving played an
important role as chatelaine of
Government House, — said
Roberts, Rell-Irving ran the
household, “making hospitality
events great fin” and partici-
pating fully in her husband's
office, he said. “She was always
her husband's partner, and he
often acknowledged it as a

rea effort,” said Roberts.

The Bell-t irvings celebrated!
their 60th wedding anniversary.

this. year. Bell-Irving was
remembered during a service
Tuesday at St, Paul’s Anglican
Church on Jervis Street. She is
survived by her husband, and
sons Roderick and Hal.
Another. son, Donald, prede-
ceased her,

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