Norma Margaret MacDonald

Mom, Grandma Norma, Nana, Nannie was a selfless woman in the truest sense of the word. She was warm, compassionate and always went out of her way to help others – no matter what. She was a proud, generous and thoughtful woman who had a wonderful sense of humour which endeared her to everyone she came in contact with and it is a great testament to her nature that she formed so many lasting friendships throughout her life. On the day of her passing, I spoke to her best friend Betty and she would be leaving the porch light on that evening that Norma may find her way home.

She was born in 1924. MacKenzie King was Prime Minister, it was the year Prince Edward Island changed from driving on the left to driving on the right, songs like “It Had To Be You” by Isham Jones were being played. She went to dances, loved to travel, skate and ride her bicycle. She grew up during The Great Depression. Until the day she died she lived a simple life – “we’ll make due” she always said. I don’t think I have ever met a stronger person. She was a testament to her time and to the strength of her parents.

She came from such a strong foundation and we continue to honour that. When Mary and I were at the house the other day, I stumbled upon this beautiful poem that her sister Fran wrote almost 50 years ago:

To Norma,

Forty-four years ago to-day,

Nana and Hoppy were proud to say,

A baby girl had come along,

So very fat and fine and strong.

Next the christening was the thing to do,

For they had to name that baby new,

Norma was picked from many a name,

For that little lass appeared to be game.

A sweet little girl, she grew up to be,

A real charmer, everyone could see,

The boys looked twice, as she walked by,

And Frank could see them, give her the eye.

One of the first was Andrew Gelas,

Who tried for her hand, but you can see he lost,

But not before he walked to the gate,

Leaving her there, to her very own fate.

Some years went by, and Cape Breton would profit,

For Norma Doucette showed up with Moffatt,

She worked in the store, and peddled her bike,

And the men still watched both day and night.

But that soon would end, at that fateful dance,

For R.A. MacDonald, showed up by chance,

And spotted the lass with the great big “chapeau”,

And said “Ma’am – home with me, you will go”.

She took him to Rustico, to show him around,

For everyone knew, he was altar bound,

Frank and Bernice were pleased as could be,

For their first son-in-law, soon he would be.

Well, that is what happened as is plain to see,

And soon they were rearing a family,

And proud they might be, of the nine they own,

For each one is a credit to this fine home.

But know it is time for us to say,

What we feel in our hearts, on this special day,

We wish you well, along your way,

And once more we say “Happy Birthday”.

Throughout our lives we heard from Dad time and time again how blessed he was to see her at the dance wearing her beautiful hat. So to find this poem I am sure she led me to it.

Our mother was brought up with traditional values and she taught us many things as young kids that we still hold true today – good manners, respect, sound moral values, that no task is ever too great, and from them both – a strong work ethic. She always had a full house with people milling about enjoying one of her delicious meals or having a cup of tea. At anytime you could find her in the kitchen baking her famous bread, while watching the inevitable fight ensue for the middle roll. Or you could find her rolling out her cinnamon rolls with the neighborhood kids coming by to grab one, or watch her serve a slice of the hundreds of pies that came out of that oven. We always had lots of great food and good people to share it with around that old chrome table. She loved when people dropped by. Her famous line was always, “no problem we’ll just add another cup of water or broth”. Our little house was always busting at the seams with all nine of us along with Dad’s uncle, Dan R. Our house, although chaotic, was full of love and as Dad always said – “if it wasn’t for your mother!”

As our family grew so did our mother and father’s love. From that first day the first grandchild was born, Mom took on the role of Grandma Norma, Nana and Nannie with a love that was so bountiful I would hear her say “I love you forever and ever”. Her grandchildren and great grandchildren were her proudest accomplishment. She would always say while on the phone, “shush Dad – he just scored his first goal or she won all the awards this year, honestly did you ever see the likes.” She loved to share any and all stories of her grandchildren. Those calls were always the height of both hers and Dad’s day. They would spend hours talking about each of them. You would be hard pressed not to find her letting the little ones get elbow deep into dough, playing card game after card game, correcting their spelling, playing dinkies on the carpet or making them their first cup of tea in the good china, with a side of crackers and cheese with pickles.

She was a woman of deep faith and an endless abundance of love, patience, guidance and incredible strength. She truly lived by these famous words: “Accept the things you cannot change and change the things you can.”

Theirs was truly a love story and they weathered many a storm – married 67 years before Dad passed. He was still so madly in love with her right up until the end. One of her favourite things he would do, quite regularly I might add, was to come in from the garden in, you guessed it, his coveralls and work boots, covered in mud holding his old Cheese Whiz jar filled with water and a pink peony. He would get down on his one “good” knee, smile and hand it to Mom without saying a word. At which time she would grin from ear to ear and then inevitably say, “oh good gracious you fool now look, you are getting mud all over the floor.”

Well Mom, Rockin Ella, Sugarplum – without a doubt your tall blue eyed, dimpled Rannie is waiting to greet you alongside your dear sweet Ronnie – perhaps in the orange coupe – Dad in his coveralls with those muddy work boots and Cheese Whiz jar with the pink peony in hand.

Farewell Mom, you are home at last.Norma Margaret MacDonald was especially kind and patient and was a blessing to all she knew. She acquired many leadership qualities and her natural abilities served her well.

She was confident how she wanted to set priorities in all aspects of her life. She set goals and accomplished them in her patient, graceful manner. She also appreciated order and was only comfortable with an organized and structured lifestyle.

Norma was born on October 8, 1924 at South Rustico, PEI, at home. Her parents were Frank and Bernice Doucette. Norma was raised in South Rustico, PEI. At a young age Norma was sensible and brilliant. She was loved for being an honest and straight forward child. She was a positive figure on those around her.

Norma’s positivity spread to her family. She was raised with eight siblings. She had 4 brothers: Cy, Alfred, Alyre, and Edward, and 4 sisters: Rita, Louise, Marie and Fran. Norma often solved many disputes among family members. She taught her brothers and sisters the art of logic and compromise.

Norma had an enthusiasm for learning and personal energy which led her to acquire leadership qualities early on in her childhood. She liked to see things executed properly and though at times things were almost out of control, she would always correct matters. She was willing to try different plans on her way to a solution to every problem.

As a young girl, Norma loved to play baseball, and played very well. She also played piano, but especially enjoyed listening to her sister Fran sing beautifully.

Perhaps, Norma’s most prevalent memory was her generosity when she agreed to take Dan R. (Dad’s uncle) in to live with us under her care. He was deaf and mute and required as extreme amount of care. She was so selfless and would never refuse to help anyone. (Yes, an angel.) Norma and the children enjoyed playing 45’s card games and loved to watch the Blue Jays and the Maple Leafs with Dan R.

The MacDonald family loved to go comping usually in PEI or Halifax, Cape Breton was home but many of their family were in PEI and Halifax. Norma came to Cape Breton after high school. She worked very hard and met Rannie at a dance in Sydney. This was the beginning of the strong and love-filled relationship between them. They were together for almost 70 years, had nine children, 21 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren.

Norma was extremely organized in school in PEI. This is something she excelled in teaching her children and grandchildren. Norma was very brilliant and this carried over to her children and their children.

Her specialty was English and Grammar, but she was also clever in every other subject also. She was constantly on a quest for knowledge. She was intuitive and alert and enjoyed solving complex problems.

Norma was very approachable by others throughout her whole life. Of course she had several friends to whom she was kind, caring and fair. She was treated the same because she was so special. Norma was proud of her friends’ accomplishments. To mention a few of her dear friends: Delma, Nora, Hanna, Betty, and Tootsie and Nana and her 4 sisters. She also had many friends in Our Lady of Fatima Parish, C.W.L. and Coxheath Fire Department, and the Waterview Drive neighbours.

Norma knew who she wanted in a husband. She married Ronald Aloysius ‘Rannie’ MacDonald at St. Augustine Convent of Rustico, PEI. On November 26, 1947 they exchanged wedding vows. Rannie called Norma his ‘Sugar Plum’. Everyone could see they were devoted to each other. Norman’s secret to a successful marriage was she always kept the lines of communication open. Also she applied the important skill of being a good listener.

Family and children were dear to Norma. She showed her love for her husband and children by her abundance of kind words and actions. She cooked, baked, helped with homework, listened and gave such great advice. She also taught her entire family right from wrong. She gave profound love and received the same from her family.

She encouraged her sons and daughters to participate in sports. She could motivate them and they all became successful athletes. She was calm under pressure and taught the children to be also.

Norma’s ability to motivate, direct and organize made her invaluable to organizations during her lifetime. Norma had a way for seeing things through to completion. The Catholic Women’s League and the Ladies Auxillary of the Coxheath Volunteer Fire Dept. to mention a few of Norma’s commitments.

Norma was a faithful woman. Her faith and religion were number 1 in her life. She believed in God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit. She was a member of Our Lady of Fatima Parish for over 70 years. During that time, she was a member of the C.W.L.

Norma was a mother of 9 children but she mothered many more. The kids in the neighbourhood would line up after school and Norma would give them homemade bread, cinnamon rolls and cookies to mention a few. She was loved and appreciated by all of them.

Norma loved our pets, especially ‘Brutus’, our Newfoundland dog. Best friends for 14 years. She also liked Teamo and Shyylo. She also enjoyed our budgie birds we had for some time.

Norma passed away on January 24th, 2018 at Cape Breton Regional Hospital, Palliative Care, Sydney, Nova Scotia. Late stage of Dementia and falls. She is survived by her children, Carol (Pat); Wayne (Marg); Francis (Connie); Anne (Kenrod); Ronald - deceased (Sandra); Paul; Eddie ( Marlene -deceased, (Christine)); Mary; Dawn (Carlos); 21 grandchildren; Kara, Sean, David, Norma Jane (deceased), Cathy, Lindsey, Brendon, Lauren, Jason, Ashley, Kathryn, Craig, Joseph, Matthew, Jared, Ryan, Amy, Jordan, Christina, Gabrielle, Alexander and 10 great grandchildren; Belle, Mack, Nora, Breton, Mason, Declan, Pearl, Elliot, Ailsa and Alyxandra. Services were held at Our Lady of Fatima Church. Norma was laid to rest in Resurrection Cemetery, Sydney Forks, Nova Scotia.

Norma Margaret MacDonald will be remembered as a remarkable human being. She was kind, patient, empathetic, and an excellent listener. Family and many friends are fortunate and blessed for having known such an ‘angel’!

* * * * * * * * * *

Norma MacDonald

93, Coxheath

It is with great sorrow that we share the loss of our dear sweet sister, wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. Norma, 93, of Coxheath passed away on January 24, 2018 in the Cape Breton Regional Hospital with family by her side. Born on October 8, 1924 in South Rustico PEI, she was one of nine children in the caring family of Frank and Bernice Doucette.

Norma “Sugarplum”, was predeceased by the one true love of her life, her husband of 67 years, Rannie, and their son she missed so deeply, Ronnie. We take solace in knowing that she is now resting peacefully in their arms alongside her parents, sisters and brothers.

Norma is survived by her sons and daughters: Carol (Pat) McAlister, Michigan; Wayne (Marg) MacDonald, Coxheath; Francis (Connie) MacDonald, Halifax; Anne (Kenrod) MacIntyre, Dartmouth; Ronnie – deceased (Sandra) MacDonald, Lethbridge; Paul MacDonald, Coxheath; Eddie (Marlene – deceased) (Christina) MacDonald, Abbotsford; Mary MacDonald, Westmount; Dawn (Carlos) Torrealba, Dartmouth; her 21 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren. She will be dearly missed by her brothers and sisters: Cy – deceased (Ella) Doucette; Rita (Gene) Carragher – deceased; Louise (Ted) Doucette – deceased; Alfred Doucette – deceased; Alyre (Anna – deceased) Doucette; Marie – deceased (Hal) Bradford; Edward (Marita – deceased) Doucette; Fran (Mel) MacDougall; Anne “Tootsie” (Rinso – deceased) Reginato; Evelyn – deceased (Tommy) Prue; Joan MacDonald; Rose (David) Absalan; Danny (Carmella – deceased) MacDonald and Angus R. (Lorraine) MacDonald.

Norma was a strong woman of deep faith. She was a mother to nine children but mothered countless others. She had a gentle caring way and lived a selfless life serving others. She was active in her church as a lifelong CWL member and in her community. She loved to spend time with family, friends, and most importantly, her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was devoted to everyone around her. She was an amazing cook and baker who loved to have her table full of food, family and friends … “the more the merrier” she would always say. In our large extended family, both Mom and Dad will always have a seat at our table.

Our family would like to extend a very special thank you to the wonderful team of care workers, VON and Dr. Worth, who have been both friends and caregivers to our Mom over the years. Each of you will be forever in our hearts.

Visitation will take place on Sunday from 2-4pm and 7-9pm at T.W.Curry Parkview Chapel. Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Monday at 2pm at Our Lady of Fatima Church in Sydney River. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Our Lady of Fatima Parish or Coxheath Fire Department. Online condolences may be sent by visiting www.twcurry.com

Home at Last

Last night as the moon passed by,

There was an even brighter light in the sky.

A wonderful woman was on her way,

On time for the dawn of a new day.

There, no yesterday or tomorrow,

And no heartache or sorrow.

You are my heroine, my miracle, my best friend,

Because of you, I know there is no end.

Author, Mary P. MacDonald