Nancy Garapick Obituary-Death
In a heartfelt tribute, Swim Nova Scotia shared that Nancy Ellen Garapick passed away peacefully at her home in Langley, British Columbia, on Monday, April 6.
Born on September 24, 1961, Nancy Garapick is widely regarded as one of Nova Scotia’s greatest swimmers and one of Canada’s most accomplished aquatic athletes. Her extraordinary rise began at a remarkably young age. At just 14, she became Canada’s youngest-ever Female Athlete of the Year in 1975, a reflection of her exceptional talent and dedication.
Earlier that same year, at only 13 years old, she set a world record in the 200-metre backstroke at the Eastern Canadian Swimming Championships in Brantford, Ontario, while representing the Halifax Trojan Aquatic Club. Her success continued internationally, as she claimed the 200-yard backstroke title at the U.S. National AAU Championships and earned both silver and bronze medals in the 100- and 200-metre backstroke events at the World Aquatics Championships 1975.
At the 1976 Montreal Olympics, Garapick secured her place in Canadian sports history by winning bronze medals in both the 100- and 200-metre backstroke events. She continued to excel in 1977, capturing the 200- and 400-yard individual medley titles at the U.S. AAU National Short Course Championships. That same year, at the Canadian Short Course Championships in Edmonton, she set world-best times in both the 200- and 400-metre individual medley.
Over the course of her career, Garapick amassed 17 Canadian national titles and a remarkable 38 championship medals. Her dominance was evident early, having set 12 national age-group records by the age of 12. In 1973, she was also the youngest competitor at the Canada Summer Games 1973.
Her achievements extended into collegiate competition, where she represented the University of California, winning the AIAW 200 individual medley title in 1981. The following year, competing for Dalhousie University, she earned five gold medals at the Canadian Interuniversity Swimming Championships in Sherbrooke, Quebec.
Garapick’s contributions to sport were recognized with numerous honors, including induction into the Canadian Olympic Hall of Fame, the Nova Scotia Sport Hall of Fame, and, in 2008, the Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame.
Academically, she graduated from Dalhousie University in 1982 with a Bachelor of Arts degree and went on to earn a Bachelor of Education from Mount Saint Vincent University in 1983.
In her final message, Nancy expressed her warmest wishes to Canada’s swimming community and extended heartfelt love to her lifelong family at the Halifax Trojan Aquatic Club—a reflection of the deep bonds she maintained throughout her life.