Norma Cannell
June 24th, 2023
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Norma Cannell
January 13, 1932 – June 24, 2023
It is with great sadness that we share the news of the passing of Norma on the morning of June 24, 2023. She was predeceased on November 11, 2022 by Bill, her loving husband of 68 years, and leaves behind her daughters Lynda and Leslie and son-in-law Jim Titus.
Norma was born in Newport, Wales and, as a young child, frequently moved around Great Britain to accommodate her father’s work as an electrical engineer. She left home as a teenager to pursue an independent and adventurous life and eventually settled in the Isle of Man where she met the love of her life Bill. Together they yearned for a life with greater opportunity and left the Isle of Man in 1954 on a P&O boat bound for Canada. They settled in Vancouver, got married and started their wonderful life together.
After a few years of working and getting established, Norma and Bill started their family. In support of Bill’s career aspirations, Norma assumed the role of “head of the household” where she excelled at absolutely everything. There wasn’t anything she couldn’t do. She was a loving and dedicated mother and wife, an excellent cook, and a gardening aficionado. She could do home repairs, play the piano, set up a tent, mow the lawn, establish a pond and raise Koi, drive the family’s horse trailer so her daughters could participate in shows, and the list goes on.
Throughout her life, Norma was gracious, kind and always greeted everyone with her wonderful smile. She was a role model for lifelong participation in sport, playing competitive badminton, golf and tennis. The latter two she continued playing well into her 80’s. She was an avid walker and enjoyed exploring the trails and pathways around her home. She kept up her walking into her 91st year and was extremely proud of the recovery she made after fracturing her hip in 2020.
Norma loved to travel and always enjoyed heading off somewhere warm where she could golf. She also enjoyed accompanying Bill when his work took him abroad. In Japan she ingratiated herself with their hosts as she loved sushi and ate everything presented to her even if it was still moving. Together in their retirement, Norma and Bill travelled the world and enjoyed trips in the UK, Africa, Australia, New Zealand, Spain, and Europe.
During their final few years, Norma and Bill settled into the Amica White Rock community where they made new friends and enjoyed a variety of in-house activities and events. Norma eventually grew to love participating in daily fitness classes and even tried her hand at crafts. Our family would like to acknowledge with sincere gratitude the loving, dedicated and compassionate care and support Norma received in her home at Amica. Every team – concierge, kitchen, dining room, housekeeping, life enrichment, and wellness – contributed significantly to her enjoyment and well-being.
A private family celebration of life has been held and anyone who knew Norma is encouraged to share their stories and memories below.
Messages:
Norma you were always so patient and understanding and I will miss our talks I so enjoyed. You always had time and were interested and cared about things I had going on in my life. Even when we played golf and I was doing poorly you never criticized me , instead encouraging me. You had such a special , kind and gracious way about you . You had such love for Bill , Lynda and Leslie and you were the best Grandma to our puppy dogs. We had so many good times , trips to Hawaii, Palm Springs and you even came on an Alaskan cruise for my 50th birthday even though you hated boats. I miss you every day and you will always be in my heart. Thank you for all you did for me. I will always love you . Jim
Norma was one of the kindest, most stoic woman I have had the pleasure of knowing. She was an adventurer and an athlete, along with being a devoted mother and wife. We shared many afternoon walks with my two dogs, chatting and giggling, sharing many smiles. Although Norma had to use a walker during the past two years, it did not slow her down. She would set a good pace and I would call her a Quick Chick. Every time I said so she would pick up the pace to show me what she really could do! That was Norma, a perpetual competitive athlete. She had a strong sense of right and wrong. She was pragmatic and would share her opinions honestly and in a straight forward manner. Her advice was given and accepted. In my eyes she was an experienced Mumma Bear. She and Bill raised two lovely women, Lynda and Leslie. I marveled at the patience, dedication and unconditional love they showed over these past several months. Norma’s character and strength live on in the women she has raised and mentored. What a perfect legacy both she and Bill have left behind. With love always, Alda
We had the fortunate pleasure of knowing Norma and her husband Bill. Unfortunately we did not meet them until later in their years. Norma embraced us with her kind and thoughtful demeanor sharing and reflecting back on the adventures she shared with Bill and told stories of her youth, worldly travels, home and family. To her, everything in life was natural, orderly and happened for a reason. To know her was inspiring and her spirit was captivating. We will miss you. God Bless and Rest in Peace.
We had the fortunate pleasure of knowing Norma and her husband Bill. Unfortunately we did not meet them until later in their years. Norma embraced us with her kind and thoughtful demeanour sharing and reflecting back on the adventures she shared with Bill and told stories of her youth, worldly travels, home and family. To her, everything in life was natural, orderly and happened for a reason. To know her was inspiring and her spirit was captivating. We will miss you. God Bless and Rest in Peace.
Dear Norma,❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ I remembered when the first time I met you during the COVID-19 time where You lived in the Beverly Place and you just came home from Peace Arch Hospital due to the surgery after your fall. every time we got together, we exchange stories about our families and how we enjoyed our lives. I have those fond memory of you and your beautiful Spirit. Though we have to say good-bye. We are comforted to know that love has never left us and it will never let us go. And even though we cannot know exactly where or when we say good-bye knowing we will surely meet again.
What a wonderful kind wife, mother and friend to so many lucky people. Norma always had a warm and friendly smile with cheerful voice whenever you would speak to her. She was always on the move and now Norma is with Bill playing golf. Together they are so well matched in heaven. Lots of love Sharon and Daryl ♥️
Norma was a very special lady indeed. She always had a smile on her face, and kind words for everybody. She had so many talents! And she was the best mom and grandma ❤️ It was my privilege to know her and spend time with her. We even got to play golf and tennis together when she was in her mid-80’s! She was, and remains, an inspiration to everyone who knew her. The world was a better place with her in it. Glad she and Bill are resting peacefully together now. My condolences to her many loving family members and friends.
When you look into your mothers eyes, you know that is the purest love you can find on this earth. A mother is she who can take the place of all others but whose place no one else can take. I’ve known Norma to be kind, thoughtful and beautiful Mom, wife and friend, especially a Mom to my dear friend Leslie. She was the greatest gift of life to Leslie and she took a place of Mom to yet another good friend, Kathleen O’Regan. She was the heartbeat in their lifes’ and a true inspiration to others. At a previous birthday surprise for Leslie I was honored to be one of the recipients. When I saw her she was radiant, happy and so full of life. She whispered in my ears and said “thank your for joining us”, I gave her a big squeeze and took a picture of her. She was in her 80’s when I first met her and we played tennis competitively, she didn’t give us any breaks with her hard hitting ground strokes. I will miss her beautiful, softened at the edges and tempered with a spine of steel. Norma, may you rest in love. Meke Aloha Pumehana (all my warm affection love) Lucinda
Dear Norma was a lovely lady and a wonderful mom to Leslie and Linda. Spirited and easy to know and we enjoyed her friendship. She is now together again with her dear husband, Bill. Our love, sympathy and caring goes out to the family. Doug and Carole Surrey BC
I met Norma a few years ago when she joined the desert tennis group at a celebratory Birthday lunch for Leslie. She was so vital, gracious and all around charming. I commented to Leslie how great her Mom was and she shared a picture of Norma taken when she had won a tennis championship! Leslie, your pride in and love of your Mom is truly inspirational. We are keeping all of Norma’s family in our hearts.
What a lovely eulogy.....certainly enjoyed life and family.....a life to be very proud of. Love ❤️ and hugs Mary, Kurt and Trina
We have known Norma for over 30 years. First she was our friend and then our friend and neighbour. How lucky is that! When either one of us travelled the other looked after the other’s house, garden, flowers, plants and miscellaneous wildlife. We fed her crows and she fed our raccoons and we both had the fattest, happiest squirrels in the neighborhood. Over the years we had pet cockatiels who probably couldn’t wait for us to travel so they could go to “Auntie Norma’s. Norma had a special love for nature and once she got over her reluctance to get a computer, she was a whiz at finding and sending the most amazing pictures and videos of nature’s wonders. Norma, you were one caring, special lady. We missed you when you moved and will miss you even more now. Rest in peace our dear friend.