(May 10th, 1941 – April 18th, 2026)
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Nancy Jean (Smith) Delabbio.
Predeceased by her parents, Nola and Austin Smith, and her sister, Lynda Forrester. Nancy leaves behind her loving sister Marylee Skurdelis, her husband Fred, and her sons, who meant the world to her: Fred (Annie), Shawn (Michelle), and Anthony (Carla). Nancy or “Crazy Granny” as she was known to some, was a proud and devoted grandmother to: Isabelle, Christopher, Marina, Matthew, Sarah, Fia, and Dawson. She loved each of them deeply in her special way.
Nancy lived a life centered around helping and educating others. This included many years in elementary education with the Sudbury Board of Education and later as a Professor at Cambrian College. With her B.Sc., B.Ed., and Specialist in Special Education that she completed while working and raising a family. She had a true gift for helping students feel empowered, supported, and capable.
Her passion for helping others didn’t stop there. Nancy was proactive in organizing chapters of the Thyroid Foundation of Canada in Sudbury, Winnipeg, and Calgary. This also included travelling across the country sharing her story and encouraging others as a motivational speaker at Thyroid conferences.
She gave her time generously, serving as President of CFUW Sudbury and supporting initiatives like Celebrate Women, bringing authors to the community, and Adopt-a-Family. She quietly and consistently supported breakfast programs, winter clothing drives, and food banks, always looking for ways to make life a little easier for others.
Nancy also knew how to enjoy life. She loved to travel and made a point of connecting with friends and family wherever she went. At home, she found happiness in simple, meaningful things, reading, watercolour painting, refinishing furniture, and tracing family roots through genealogy. She even wrote a special education workbook and a compilation book of her mother’s lifelong writings.
Her family will always remember the warmth of her kitchen, especially her cinnamon swirls, various wild berry jams and preservatives, Christmas candy, and the way she brought people together. She loved to sing in choirs, play cards, take in concerts and plays, spend time at camp with family and friends, and always happiest when surrounded by others.
More than anything, Nancy will be remembered for her kindness, ability to tackle challenges, and to tell stories. She was a truly beautiful person, inside and out, and her presence will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her.
We extend our gratitude to the fantastic support from Lively Meadowbrook, the medical teams of HSN, Cancer Center, and McCulloch Hospice. In lieu of flowers, a donation to the Maison McCulloch Hospice will be appreciated.
My sincere condolences to all family members on the passing of your wife-mother, Nancy.
Battista Muredda
April 22, 2026
Please accept my condolences on the passing of your wife/mother.
Bernie Deck
April 22, 2026
Some of the best years of my life occurred while I was attending High School in Little Current where I had the wonderful privilege of knowing (mostly watching) Nancy when she was a Grade 13 student. Here I watched her honed her social and leadership skills as the Social Editor of the Yearbook and the School’s newspaper (Lowdown), later as Editor of the Yearbook, and lastly as President of the Yearbook, working on five editions during her high school career. Nancy was a dynamo on campus, always volunteering and accepting any responsibilities without thinking or any hesitation, especially where help was direfully needed the most without being asked by faculty or the administrative staff. Nancy even found time beyond her busy academic and extracurricular activities to serve as the elected Secretary of the Athletic Association. This was a good fit for Nancy since the responsibilities and duties of the secretary matched her qualifications, particularly as an athlete. Another amazing fact about Nancy is that she also excelled in sports during her high school years as a member of three varsity teams including cheerleading, track & field, and volleyball. Contemporarily everybody used her as a GOTO Girl whenever they needed help. Apparently her lifelong philosophy must have been, if you want to get something done quickly, you have to give the job to a busy woman, a philosophy which she administered throughout her professional life and raising a family. Nancy graduated from LCHS in the spring of 1959 and left the Manitoulin Island to pursue a teaching career at the North Bay Teacher’s College. Her life ambition was to teach the handicapped which she achieved with great success leading to a professorship at Cambrian College. The last time I saw Nancy was at the Mountainside Cemetery where she and her sister Lynda were attending the family mausoleum and where both of our families are resting in peace. Bravo Nancy, you had a wonderful life, please rest in peace.
Daniel & Lidia Anderson
April 21, 2026
I loved having conversations with Nancy and enjoyed her great sense of humour. Whether we were singing together, talking about Adopt-A-Family or watching her work on puzzles at Meadowbrook, Nancy was one very special woman and will be missed.
April 21, 2026
Fred Sr, Fred, Tony, and Sean (and extended family) — my condolences to you all. From the days of Robinson P.S., or seeing her on Delwood, Crt I always found that your wife/mom was a very kind person. May her memories live strong in your family.
April 21, 2026
So sad to read that Nancy will no longer be phoning me to chat. After rehabbing from a back injury, Nancy moved into Meadowbrook without complaint. Nancy would call me with approving comments concerning the actions of CFUW Sudbury. RIP my friend!
April 20, 2026