Nan MacLean
May 6, 1943 ~ July 27, 2026
Nancy ‘Nan’ Ellen MacLean, a long-time resident of Bow Island, passed away peacefully after a short but courageous battle against cancer on Monday, July 27, 2026, at the age of 83 years.
The family extends their greatest of thanks to all of those that cared for her at Bow Island Palliative Care.
Born and raised in Winnipeg, Nan was the youngest daughter of Robert and Jennie, growing up in a lively family of four girls and one boy. She spent many happy days at Lac du Bonnet with her family, enjoying water sports and the outdoors. From a young age, she loved sewing and knitting—skills she carried into adulthood, later creating many handmade dolls and bears for family and friends.
In June of 1966, her life took a defining turn when she visited a ranch in Argyle, Manitoba, intending simply to buy a horse. Instead, she met Chuck—a meeting that led to their marriage on December 28, 1966. On New Year’s Day in 1968, the newlyweds moved to Medicine Hat, embarking on a lifelong journey together in the livestock and agriculture industry.
Nan was a true entrepreneur at heart. Her work began with MacLean Cattle Company, expanding from a home office on Harris Street to establishing a presence at the Bow Island stockyards in 1977. There she helped to also build a thriving commercial trucking division licensed in 5 provinces and 6 states. Driven by unwavering determination, her business footprint grew in 1991 to include South Island Farms which came to include her brother-in-law Brian Murray and his family in 1997. In 1999, she began another successful venture when the MacLean’s partnered with Rick and Jan Porter to launch Porter & MacLean Livestock. In 2014, Nancy and the family purchased a ranch in Burstall—a milestone made possible in large part by the insistence of her brother & sister-in-law Mac and Barb MacLean to “make it happen!” Through every exciting new venture, her sisters Jean (Warren), Marge, and Dorothy (Bodhi) were always there cheering her on with many, many phone calls and visits.
While Nan wore many hats in business, her true genius lay in her warmth: she had an unmatched ability to turn customers into friends, and make friends feel like family. She cherished time with family and friends, and was known for her generosity, humour, and ability to make others feel supported and valued. Her kindness and warmth touched countless lives.
Above all else, Nan was devoted to her family. She is survived by her loving husband, Chuck; her “favorite eldest son,” James (Cara), and her precious granddaughters, Aivree and Addison; her “favorite youngest son,” Scott (Michelle), and her three cherished grandsons, Haisley, Ewan, and Calum. She is also survived by her sister, Dorothy Drope of the Sunshine Coast, and her brothers-in-law, Mac (Barb) and Brian (Norma).
Nan was an unfailing fan of her grandchildren, rarely missing a hockey game or dance recital. She lived out the belief that the greatest gift you can spend on those you love is time. That same spirit extended into her community, where she became a “team mom” to many hockey players and rodeo kids, offering encouragement, support, and a welcoming place for all.
That family extended to many close friends including Colleen who never left her side through her final days, along with the friendships that she cherished and without fail supported her throughout all the years, including Jim & Ann, Joanne & Gord, Coreen & Tom, Don & Jeannine, Alta, Brenda & Mike, Sheryl & Gary, Rick & Jan, Moffats, Switzers, Niemens, Daynards and so many, many more.
Her commitment and support extended deep into her community as well. Nan served three terms on the Bow Island Town Council and dedicated over 25 years to the Bow Island Health Foundation as both a Director and Board Chair, to name only two of the endless boards and committees she served on over the years. Her dedication, leadership, and service made her a respected and valued member of the community, and these characteristics will live on through all of her work and in all those she knew and felt so incredibly lucky to have been connected to.
A Celebration of Nan’s Life will be held at the Bow Island Multiplex, 1040 – 2 Street Bow Island, Alberta on Wednesday, August 5, 2026, at 2:00 p.m .The service will be live-streamed. Those who cannot attend but wish to experience her celebration may visit the Cook Southland Funeral Chapel website and select the Live-streaming button on the homepage at service time. (Condolences to the family may be expressed by visiting our website at www.cooksouthland.com) Honoured to serve the family is Cook Southland Funeral Chapel, Crematorium & Reflections Reception Facility, 901 – 13 Street S.W., Medicine Hat, Alberta, T1A 4V4. Telephone 403-527-6455
- Date : 2026-07-27
- Location : Bow Island, Alberta