Nancy’s Story

I was born and raised in Kingston, Ontario, spending summers at our family cottage on Rock Lake. Carleton University was my alma mater for a degree in economics. I then did graduate work in Adult Education at the University of Toronto. Years later, I did further graduate work at Queen’s University in Theology, specializing in Spiritual Care in a Pluralistic Society. Taking advanced clinical units in CPE, I became a certified spiritual health practitioner (SHP) and completed training to be a Registered Psychotherapist.

From an early age, I explored the inner realms through dreams and meditation. Illness brought its own unique lessons, ones that ultimately lead me to work with the sick and dying in hospitals and long-term care. Tending my mother’s long dying time was both very difficult and greatly rewarding. I write about this and how I came to my perspectives on death, dying, and relating to our ancestors in the book The Call to the Far Shore: Carrying Our Loved Ones through Dying, Death and Beyond. (Inner Traditions 2025).

I am a long-time student of Robert Sardello, founder of the School of Integral Spiritual Psychology.

I am a co-founder of Mulberry Waldorf School, Closing Time Death Group, and a founding member of Green Burial Kingston.

As a leader in the Waldorf School movement for many years, I have lead parent education and anthroposophical exploration classes. My biography includes being a peace activist, storyteller, community leader, parent, and advocate for cultural renewal.

I live with my husband, Dr. Michael Hurley, and dog Jema, nestled amidst the farmlands, lakes and trees of southeastern Ontario. I enjoy re-generative gardening, building community, cooking, writing, and spending time with friends, family, and new grandchild.