Avis Joyce Nkansah
August 11, 1939 – September 21, 2022

Born in the small, but historically significant town of Annapolis Royal, Nova Scotia into the small, but significant Lewis family (see Rose Fortune and Daurene Lewis), Avis chose to trade towns for cities after being selected the valedictorian of her high school class. Quickly becoming a city person, she found her way to Toronto, where she lived an active and productive life as a registered nurse, a wife, a mother, a grandmother, and as a friend to many, many people.

A lover of music, food, and travel, she was sometimes able to combine these pursuits, such as when she would listen to a steel band playing during supper at the Southern Palms Beach Club in Barbados, her favorite place in the world after Toronto.

Wherever she went, smiles seemed to follow. Avis was a rare combination of attentiveness, willingness, kindness, and wisdom. She will be deeply missed.

She is survived by her husband, John, her children, Peter (Chantal) and Susan (Desmond) and her grandchildren, Jessica, Maya, Jennifer, James, and Emma.

Visitations will be Friday, September 30th from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., and Saturday, October 1st from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. A service will take place at 11:00 a.m. All the functions will be held at Pine Hills Cemetery and Funeral Centre (625 Birchmount Road, Toronto, (416-267-8229)).

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in her name to her sister’s Dr. Daurene Lewis Memorial Award at Nova Scotia Community College (https://support.nscc.ca/daurenelewismemorial). The award supports African Canadian students in programs within the School of Health and Human Services — including nursing, continuing care, social services and cosmetology.