November 2, 1922 - April 30, 2012
It is with sadness that we announce the passing of Edna May Nash on April 30, 2012. Edna passed away suddenly at her home from heart failure during the course of a courageous battle with pulmonary fibrosis. Edna is survived by her loving partner Al Tranfield, her daughters Sylvia Martin (Terry), Rosemary, Barbara (Ted Ansbacher), son Gregory (Susan), grandchildren Greg, Regan, Mark, Charles, Emily, Zachary and Spencer and great grandchildren Justine, Summer and Iileitia.
In 1886 Edna’s grandparents came to B.C. from Ontario and settled in Parksville on Vancouver Island. Her mother Harriett was born in 1889 and went to school at the age of 2 so the school would have enough students to qualify for a grant. On July 22, 1908 Harriett married Edna’s father William McDermid, in 1909 Edna’s only sister Grace was born and soon thereafter the family started farming in Parksville. Edna was born in Parksville November 2, 1922 and within a few years showed amazing talent as an athlete, winning many track and field awards. In preparation for her athletic events Edna’s father timed her run to the back field to round up the cows and return them to the barn. Edna was one of only two students in her grade 12 class, both of whom went on to university. Edna’s father passed away suddenly in 1940, just as Edna was leaving the farm to attend UBC.
In October, 1943 Edna met Bernard Nash and they were married within two months, on December 27, 1943. Children soon followed. Along with millions of others in the post-war era, Edna and Bernard built and shared a life together founded on common values, commitment, love, family, the Church and community involvement. They lived and raised their family in West Vancouver where Bernard had settled with his family in the 1920s.
In 1956, with Bernard practicing law and 4 children at home (ages 4, 7, 9 and 11), Edna returned to her teaching career. While she taught full time, she completed her Bachelors of Education and Masters in Counselling Psychology through night and summer school courses. Edna loved teaching, her students and all of the extracurricular activities, including coaching field hockey, volleyball and track and field. Edna became a Registered Psychologist and then, in 1985, took early retirement from her position as an Area Counsellor in the Vancouver School District to pursue a private practice.
Edna’s psychology practice thrived. She also taught at the University of British Columbia and introduced distant televised Education and Psychology courses through the Knowledge Network. She presented at many international conferences including the North American Society of Adlerian Psychology (NASAP) of which she served as President. For many decades she attended and taught at the annual International Committee of Adlerian Summer Schools and Institutes (ICASSI) around the world. She was a founding member of the Adlerian Psychology Association of British Columbia and became an admired leader in the field of Adlerian Psychology, classroom management and family education.
Edna and Bernard had been married for 53 years when Bernard passed away in 1996. Edna continued to lead a full life with her psychology practice, community involvement and participation in conferences well into her eighties. Then in 2007, a mutual childhood friend introduced Edna to Al Tranfield, a childhood school mate. Al and Edna had not seen each other in 68 years. From their first meeting they were inseparable, having a deep and abiding love for each other and sharing Al’s sailboat the “Ardea”, the joy of music, family celebrations, morning puzzles over breakfast, their apartment view and many other simple joys of life. Al brought pure happiness to Edna’s life and gave her loving care over those 4 1⁄2 years, and particularly through the challenges of her illness.
Edna will be remembered for her love for all people, her encouragement of others and her commitment to making this world a better and more peaceful place. She was inspired by everyone. Her passion, compassion and social interest moved her to contribute relentlessly to the broader community throughout her life. She truly wanted life to last forever. As she said in her final days, “It has been such a good time!!”
A special thanks to Dr. Virani, Dr. Swiston and Leah Christoff and the outstanding cardiology and respirology teams at VGH for their care and treatment of Edna through her illness.
A celebration of Edna’s life will be held on June 2, 2012, 11:30 am at St. Anthony’s Church at 2347 Inglewood Ave., West Vancouver BC. The family intends to establish a foundation and/or scholarship in Edna’s memory. In Lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Nash & Company “In Trust” for the Edna Nash Family Education Fund. (Suite 3013, Three Bentall Centre, 595 Burrard Street Vancouver BC, V7X 1C4). Thank you to all.
