DR. GERALD DUNSTAN ILIFFE

3 January 1943 – 5 June 2024

Gerry Iliffe, passed away on June 5, 2024, in Gimli, MB. He left behind his loving wife Nancy of more than 30 years, his sister Angie and his four children: Melanie Nitychoruk (Adam), Roger Iliffe (Ildiko), Tracy Iliffe (Mike), Emma Lee (Rob); stepchildren: Jenny Eaglesham (Jeff) and Scott Eaglesham (Isabella), along with numerous grandchildren.

Gerry was born on January 3, 1943, in Woking, Surrey to Ruth and Cedric Iliffe. He went to high school at Cheltenham College boarding school where he built a lifelong love of learning, music and sports. He went on to successfully complete medical school at St. Andrew’s University in Scotland eventually becoming a consultant in gastroenterology and moving to Winnipeg in 1974. He served as a physician at the Health Sciences Centre for over 30 years before retiring to Gimli. He is remembered fondly as a physician who was known for his diagnostic abilities and the care he took of all his patients.

Gerry met his wife Nancy in 1984 and they married in 1992. They were inseparable ever after and were both delighted to be living on the lakefront in Gimli. Gerry was a talented musician and wonderful singer who was an accomplished guitarist and pianist. He had a deep and wide-ranging love of sports. In his youth he was an excellent miler and swimmer and later on in life he would compete at squash, tennis, sailing, golf and finally curling. Like his father Cedric before him, Gerry loved singing in church and his bass voice left a lasting impression for its spiritual qualities. Gerry will be missed most for his playful sense of humour and day to day charm. A true Englishman in Gimli.

NANCY ALLISON ILIFFE (nee MCTAGGART)
23 July 1955 – 11 September 2024

Nancy Allison Iliffe (née McTaggart) passed on September 11, 2024, at the age of 69. Nancy is remembered by her daughter, Jenny Eaglesham (Jeff), her granddaughter Sola, son Scott Eaglesham (Isabella), and her ‘bonus children’: Melanie Nitychoruk (Adam), Roger Iliffe (Ildiko), Tracy Iliffe (Mike), and Emma Lee (Rob), as well as her ‘bonus’ grandchildren and beloved dog, Becky. She left behind her brothers, Ian (Maria) and Jamie, along with her nieces, cousins and many friends.

Nancy was predeceased by her parents, Betty and Allan McTaggart, several aunts, uncles, close friends, and many cherished family dogs. In June 2024, she lost her husband, Dr. Gerald Iliffe, a loss that left her heartbroken. Nancy and Gerry met in 1984 and were rarely seen without one another. In a way, they did not have to spend their wedding anniversary, September 12, apart. Gerry brought out Nancy’s adventurous side, which included travel and sailing. They spent many years enjoying each other’s company, usually laughing.

Nancy’s early years were shaped by her family’s move from Brandon to Winnipeg in the early ‘60s. She often shared fond memories of their home on Kingsway and many special times spent at Clearwater Bay. Her father passed on to her a deep respect for the outdoors and hunting, while her mother instilled in her a love for practicality, creativity, and the gift of making any space feel cozy.

Nancy graduated from Kelvin High School, where met many lifelong friends, including Lorraine, who she considered family. In her adult life she was a skilled interior decorator and aesthetician. Over the years, she continued learning, studying American Sign Language, drawing, and most recently preparing to become a grief counselor. She was a strong advocate for mental health, working to reduce the stigma surrounding mental illness.

Nancy was a firm believer that people do the best they can with the knowledge and abilities they have, a value she passed on to her children early on. She had a remarkable ability to remember everyone she met and always welcomed people genuinely into her life. She cherished her friendships and often reminisced about “the old days” with a fond smile, as if they had happened just yesterday.

Besides their lakefront home at 157 Third Avenue in South Beach, Gerry also owned the historic cottage at 34 South Beach Road.