Nan Wheeler was the cousin of Bella Ryland. When Bella developed cancer which rapidly spread and left her bedridden, Nan and Bella's husband Tad Ryland became her carers. Rumours spread that Nan and Tad would get together after Bella's death but these turned out to be untrue and the pair were distraught when Bella passed away in April 1976. Nan returned home the next month.