Nancy Stewart is an experienced grief counsellor, facilitator, educator and writer who supports people navigating the overwhelming journey of grief and loss. Her work is grounded in both professional experience and training, as well as a deep understanding of the realities of life-altering loss.
Nancy’s own journey through grief began when her husband, Doug, was killed by an impaired driver and her 11-year-old daughter, Emily, suffered a catastrophic brain injury. In the aftermath, Nancy turned to MADD Canada for support. Her experience eventually led her to become a volunteer, presenter, spokesperson, board member and Victim Services Volunteer, supporting others whose lives have been profoundly changed by loss.
For more than nine years, Nancy has facilitated MADD Canada’s Loss of Partner grief support group, working with people from across Canada. She creates a safe, compassionate environment where participants can share their experiences, explore the challenges of grief and connect with others who understand.
Nancy has also volunteered with Acclaim Health for eight years. She began as a grief companion, providing individual support to people experiencing loss, and later became a facilitator for the online 12-week Loss of a Partner program. Through this work, she has supported people at different stages of their grief journey, both individually and in groups.
Nancy created and regularly facilitates Journaling Through Grief, a workshop she has presented at many MADD Canada national conferences. She is also the author-in-progress of Your Journey Through Grief and Companioning Someone Who Is Grieving.
Her work in victim services has been recognized with MADD Canada’s 2025 Victim Services Volunteer of the Year award and the 2023–24 Victim Services Award of Distinction from the Ontario Attorney General.
Her direct experience and training in grief support is complemented by a professional background in psychology and education. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and a Master of Education, as well as a coaching certification. She brings extensive professional experience in coaching and counselling, facilitation and adult learning.
Nancy understands that grief is deeply personal. There is no single way to grieve and no timetable for healing. Her approach is warm, compassionate and practical, offering a supportive place to talk openly about what has been lost, the changes that follow, and the difficult work of creating a life within a new reality.
Nancy’s goal is not to tell people how they should grieve, but to provide support as they find their own way forward.
