Nancy Leigh Douglas

Nancy Leigh Douglas, resident of Belleville, Ontario, passed peacefully into the arms of her Saviour on December 29, 2025, at Kingston General Hospital following a difficult surgery from which she could not recover. She had bravely endured a year and a half of chronic, untreatable pain in her lower back, culminating in tumor removal surgery in mid-December. Though the surgery was somewhat successful, God, in His infinite mercy, chose to end her suffering and escort her to her eternal Home in Glory, sparing her further pain in what would have been a continuing battle with a particularly aggressive cancer. She would have turned 70 just a few weeks later.

To her devoted husband, Martin Barret, she will forever be his beloved “Boo Boo,” just as he was her cherished “Ba”. Nancy is survived by her loving husband Martin; her faithful Blue Heeler/Australian Cattle Dog, Sherlock; her brother Randolph P. Hennessy and his wife Lisa of Prince Edward County (with whom she happily reconnected through her late Aunt Grace Williams, nee Cole); and many dear friends from the churches she and Martin attended over more than two decades.

Born on January 15, 1956, in the original Picton Hospital in Prince Edward County, Nancy was welcomed into the family of William and Melba Douglas through adoption after about a year. She grew up on their small hobby farm, finding endless joy among apple trees, ponies, and cows—including one affectionately named “Frienly” (spelled just that way!).

Feeling the County a bit too quiet for her adventurous spirit, Nancy forged her own path in the arts and business rather than following advice to join the army. She attended the University of Toronto, earning a Fine Arts degree. Her quick typing skills soon led to a lucrative word-processing business in her early career. Nancy's talents extended far beyond, achieving great success through her self-taught mastery of Photoshop and print graphic design. For many years at the engineering firm Morrison Hershfield, she crafted powerful, attractive proposals that helped secure major contracts for the building of highways, bridges, and more. In 2012, following restructuring, she proudly served as Executive Assistant to the president. Her creative spirit shone in hobbies too—first crafting wedding jewellery through “Charming Endeavours,” her Etsy shop, supplying charms, bracelets, and earrings to countless celebrations. When competition grew, she pivoted to her print design expertise, turning the business into one of the top wedding and shower signs graphics shops online. It was her incredible dedication and hard work that enabled her and Martin to finally acquire their own home in Belleville in 2015. Even though COVID-19 significantly impacted her business in 2020, Nancy's indomitable spirit kept her creating beautiful signage for clients right up until her final hospital admission.

Nancy's love story with Martin began on Canada Day in 1998 at the Lonestar Tex-Mex Restaurant in Pickering. Initially hesitant about the spicy menu, a glimpse of Martin's “glamour shot” on the door advertising his upcoming performance changed her mind: “I think I’ll stay for the show.” That evening, giddy, flirty smiles were exchanged between Nancy and Martin as she enjoyed his live performance and singing, and after a quick sit-down break, followed by Martin’s invitation to enjoy the lakeside fireworks display, Nancy's heart was won. Just two days later, they began dating and ‘the rest is history’ as they say.

Shortly after meeting Martin, rather than simply follow him to his top-40 solo classic rock shows, Nancy boldly asked, “Is there anything I can do?” With Martin’s guidance, she took on the role of keyboard player, learning her parts in a highly unconventional way—using tablature!—and becoming so proficient that another band once asked her to be their keyboardist. She retained that role but later expanded her live performance skills to include guitar and vocals during her time with The Retrofits, a band Martin started with his old school friend Matthew Marren. During those fun years (2003–2007), they gladly shared the stage with Nancy's impressive talents, even though she shyly insisted she “wasn’t a real musician!”

In 2004, after a period of darkness and doubt that nearly cost her everything, God dramatically entered Nancy's life through His Word and powerful experiences, revealing His reality and transforming love. She and Martin committed their lives to Christ and were married on October 24, 2004. Together, they poured themselves into church activities, youth groups, and Christian music. Music became a central way for Nancy to express her deep love for the Lord. She began playing guitar in a foursome called Cascade, alongside her husband Martin and their dear friends Mike and Colleen Bragan. The Bragans’ prayerfulness, unwavering love, and genuine interest in Nancy and Martin’s lives enriched the couple’s journey immeasurably and left them profoundly blessed. Long after Cascade’s melodies faded, Mike and Colleen’s faithful presence did not; they continued to pray, encourage, and walk alongside Nancy and Martin through decades of life’s highs and lows, offering tender support during Nancy’s illness and passing, and remaining a cherished pillar of love and faith in Martin’s life today."

In 2009, inspired by a sermon titled “To The Praise of His Glory,” she spontaneously sang the opening lines of “On That Day” over a picking riff Martin was playing. Together they shaped the song, recorded it in Martin's simple home studio, and saw it touch thousands through radio broadcasts—airplays that continue even today. Nancy co-wrote many more songs with Martin, culminating in their 2024 album, Only Thing I Need. Through countless churches and worship practices at home, Martin often glanced over to see her weeping at lyrics promising a new land of eternal peace and joy. Nancy will be deeply missed by so many, especially those in the church communities she and Martin enjoyed over the years.

A GoFundMe campaign has been established to help cover funeral and burial expenses, as well as a simple monument at her grave in Elmwood Cemetery, Corbyville, Ontario.

https://www.gofundme.com/f/nancy-douglas

Due to the winter weather and challenging conditions in mid-January, a short, private graveside service for immediate family and closest friends will be held at Elmwood Cemetery on Tuesday, January 13, 2026.

A Celebration of Life open to all will follow on Saturday, January 17, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. at Eastside Community Baptist Church, 68 Rollins Drive, Belleville, Ontario. This will be a joyfully commemorative, entertaining service lasting approximately one hour and which will be followed by a reception with coffee, tea, and desserts downstairs.

“Hey Boo Boo, we’ll see you soon enough!”

Love you forever,

Your Ba and all your faithful friends.