Norma Estelle Cannon

30 October 1945 ~ 26 January 2025

Mrs. Norma Estelle Cannon (nee Harrison) passed away on 26 January 2025, aged 79, after a 2 month battle with metastatic pancreatic cancer. She was surrounded by family who now greatly mourn her loss. She is survived by her son, Brian Corey Cannon (Kendall Telfer), step-grandchildren Devon Telfer-Martin and Danika Telfer-Martin; sisters Pauline Haits and Maureen (Robert) Sanderson; brother Philip (Helen) Harrison; sisters-in-law Gail (Ken) Burfoot and Brenda (Martin) Cannon Munster; dozens of nieces and nephews as well as many other friends and relatives, near and far. She is predeceased by her husband Brian Thomas Cannon; their parents D’Arcy and Estella Harrison and Harry and Iris Cannon; her sister Sandra Berg; and brother-in-law Loren Berg. A celebration of her life, officiated by Pastor Matthew Westergard, will be held and Crossroads Community Church Saturday 22 February 2025 at 1PM. Interment to follow on or about 1 May 2025 at the Nanaimo Municipal Cemetery.

Norma was born and raised in Nanaimo BC, 30 October, 1945. She attended Malaspina College earning a degree in Business Administration. Being top of her class, she won a position working for the famous Pirate Mayor of Nanaimo, Frank Key. In 1969, she married Brian Cannon, RCAF, and moved with him to West Germany, part of Canada’s NATO commitment during the Cold War. Their son, Corey, was born in 1970. During her time in Germany, Norma learned German, allowing herself to take in the local culture as well as converse with the new friends found around her. As a family, they toured most of Western Europe. They returned to Canada in 1974 to postings in Summerside PEI (1974-1977) Halifax NS (1977-1978) and Greenwood NS (1978-1984). Brian retired from the RCAF after more than 20 years of service, taking a job at NDHQ in Ottawa ON. During her decade in Ottawa, she learned her third language, French, and achieved degrees and designations in Human Resources, again top of her classes; elevating herself out of business admin roles and into management. She achieved the number 2 position in the Human Resources Department at the City of Gloucester. In the mid-90’s, with Brian looking to retire after over 30 years of government service, Norma began looking for work in British Columbia, where she and Brian hoped to spend the rest of their lives. Norma took a position as Director of Human Resources for a small 3 branch Credit Union in Merritt BC. Over the next 10 years, the Credit Union would grow and merge it’s way to become Interior Savings Credit Union, one of the larger Credit Unions in British Columbia. Norma’s responsibility grew with the company eventually becoming Vice President Human Resources. Even after retirement from ISCU in the mid-2000’s, she continued to work in the HR field, forming her own company and offering her skills to smaller businesses on a free-lance basis. She continued to work until her diagnosis in November 2024.

Norma will be remembered as a singular woman. Both ambitious and kind. Tough, yet highly empathetic. Her loss, to those of us who knew and loved her, is devastating.

Should anyone desire, donations may be made to the Canadian Cancer Society. Online condolences, photos, personal stories may be expressed at www.MerrittFuneralChapel.com. Service arrangements entrusted to Merritt Funeral Chapel.

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