Nancy Lou Alice, MA Gale (nee Redgrift)

May 27, 1951 - April 19, 2025

In Loving Memory of a Very Special Woman ~

Nancy Lou Alice Gale (nee Redgrift), better known as Momma Nancy, a proud parent, leader, teacher, mentor and hero to many passed peacefully surrounded by love and her family, both blood and chosen, amongst much laughter and tears as she was sung home returning to stardust.

Nancy was indescribable and her leadership was marked by compassion, innovation, and an unshakeable belief in the potential of people and partnerships. Nancy's love for community ran deep and, she inspired the same in those around her. Her leadership has had a lasting impact with many ripples.

Nancy served as Executive Director of the Cariboo Chilcotin Child Development Centre for over 18 years and played a key role in shaping how services are delivered to children and families in the region supporting over 700 children each month by the time of her retirement in 2019. One of her most significant contributions was introducing an integrated service model—bringing professionals from multiple sectors together to provide coordinated, wraparound support. This approach helped eliminate silos and strengthened the way services were delivered across the region. Nancy was also instrumental in co-founding the Central Interior Community Services Cooperative, building collaboration among nonprofits to improve access and efficiency. She also ensured Williams Lake had the first center for autism in the he province along with countless other local and provincial initiatives. Nancy taught early childhood education for over a decade with Thompson Rivers University ensuring no learner was left behind. She taught with no nonsense, to the point but with a lot of love. She always supported equity and felt everyone deserved a chance to participate, and in her early career played a role in changing Canadian law to protect the rights of women. She was also an active volunteer, was a member of Day Break Rotary Club for over 18 years, was a member of Community Policing, was a Senior's Advocate, and sat on the Fraser Basin Council amongst many others. She consistently brought a community-focused lens to every initiative she took on. These are just a few examples of the ripples of her impact and Nancy lives on within these ripples.

Thank you, Momma Nancy. Your teachings and work continue. Nancy leaves behind her two children Shirley-Pat and Bryan, and her sisters Shelley, Dani, and Judy, nieces and nephews, and her family of choice: Ron, Steven, Joe, Joyce, Violet, Sheena, Arianna, Ashlyn, Heidi, AJ, Brynn, Ashtyn, Camelia, Robert, Michael, Sylvie, Gail, Arnold and so many more friends and colleagues. As Momma Nancy would say, lead with love. Nancy taught us the dance of life, and though the music has paused, we continue to dance in her honor; she is with Gary and her ancestors now stardust once again dancing across the universe. Rest in Power Nancy Gale, until we meet again amongst the stars.

Nancy will be missed by many. The family will hold a memorial celebration on her birthday May 27th, 2025, at the

Tŝilhqot'in National Government Negotiations Office at 1729 South Lakeside Drive from 9am-11am.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Nancy's name can be made to the Cariboo Chilcotin Child Development Centre.