Nan Wheeler (1910-2012)

One of  Halton Hills’ oldest residents has died.
Nan (Francis Irene) Wheeler died peacefully at Georgetown Hospital Tuesday morning with her family by her side. She was 102.
Nan was the great-great granddaughter of George Kennedy, the founder of Georgetown. She lived in the area her whole life— first in Georgetown where she was born (she was raised on Queen St.)— then later Glen Williams after she met and married her husband Harold Wheeler.
The couple had two sons, Bill and Marty.
Nan worked alongside her husband in Wheeler’s Store located at 517 Main St., Glen Williams for several years until shortly after his death in 1971. She then worked at the Georgetown Post Office for many years said her grandson Kyle.
She also wrote a column about local seniors in the Georgetown Herald for a couple years called Belles and Beaus.
Kyle said his grandmother was a breast cancer survivor.
“She was a very independent woman,” said Kyle. She lived on her own in her Tenth Line home until the age of 99, when she moved into the Mountainview Residence.
He said two of his grandmother’s secrets to a long life were keeping her independence and watercress sandwiches. He said she loved the sandwiches that were also a favourite of the Queen Mum. She figured they helped to give the Queen Mum a long, healthy life so they would work for her too.
“Her claim to fame was the Glen Williams Parade,” said Kyle. As one of the oldest residents of the Glen she was invited to ride in the parade about 10 years ago and did so every year.
“She loved being in the parade. She felt like the queen,” said Kyle. She also loved the Toronto Maple Leafs “right from day one,” he said.
“She just gave up on them because she couldn’t wait any longer for that Stanley Cup to come,” he said.
Nan (nee Tost) is survived by her sister Elma, her two sons, four grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren. She is pre-deceased by her seven sisters and three brothers and granddaughter Amber Lynn.
Visitation will be 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Sunday (Oct. 28) at Jones Funeral Home.
The funeral will be Monday 2 p.m. at St. John’s United Church, 533 Main St.  in Glen Williams.

By Lisa Tallyn, Georgetown Independent Free Press