ARMSTRONG, Norma Jean
It is with profound sadness, yet with a peace that passes understanding, that the family of Norma Jean Armstrong (nee Burley), announce that on November 26th, 2023, just days before her 84th birthday her soul was taken up to heaven from the Algoma Manor in Thessalon ON. It is our sure hope that Mom is with her Saviour and reunited with Dad and the host of others gone on before.
Norma Jean lived most of her life in Bruce Mines ON and was a devoted and loving life partner to her late husband John for over 60 years and to be honest she really never was the same after his passing in 2018.
Norma Jean was a wonderful mother to John (Donna) Armstrong of Big Stone AB, Robert (Donna) Armstrong of Barrie ON and Tammy (Brian) Graham of St Josephs Island ON.
A doting Grammy/Grandma to Brandon (Candice) Armstrong of Shellbrook SK, Taylor (Pamela) Armstrong of Red Deer AB and Logan (Jenna) Armstrong of Rockyford AB; Mark Armstrong of Bruce Mines ON, Leah (Jared) Mortley of Toronto ON, and Brett (Tineil) Armstrong of Barrie ON; Kieghan Graham of St Joseph Island ON & Meryn Graham of Echo Bay ON.
A very special great-Grammy/Grandma to Ladd, Shawnee, Beau, Gunner & Belle of Shellbrook SK; Parker, Emery, Brynlee, Adeleigh, Maverick, Blakely of Red Deer AB; Remington & Arlo of Rockyford AB; Iris & Theodore of Toronto ON and Jasper, Lincoln & Titus of Barrie ON.
Norma Jean was predeceased by her much-loved parents Norman and Isobel Burley of Bruce Mines and her sisters Barbara and Lois (as children) and Helen Foster. Also predeceased by in-laws Jim and Lottie Armstrong, Max Armstrong, Marion Goodmurphy, Martha (Arthur) Goodmurphy, Donelda (Albert) Ingram, Verna (Kenneth) Goodmurphy, Edna (Les) Beharriell, and Jim Armstrong.
She leaves to mourn in-laws Jack Foster, Murdena Armstrong, Lee (Vi) Armstrong and Marjorie (Carl) Barager as well as a multitude of nieces and nephews, relatives and friends.
Mom and Dad had close camping and coffee friends Gordon Post and his late wife Marg of Bruce Mines and we would be remiss if we did not mention Gord's kindness and friendship to Mom right to present with his almost daily coffee visits at the house, Light Haven and at Algoma Manor.
Mom was deeply influenced in her spiritual growth and had a special love for her Uncle Al and Aunt Evie Miller who lived kitty corner to her and Dad for decades and she missed them immensely after their passing.
Mom was a great and content homemaker but so enjoyed her many years as a lunch hour supervisor at the Bruce Mines Elementary School. This had many former students over the years greeting her with fondness when she would bump into them around Algoma.
Of the Burley, Miller & Armstrong homes on the 3 corner lots at the intersection Mom's hospitality and sense of fun and Dad's patience allowed for 18 Cunningham Street to be the gathering place for cousins and friends during holidays and special occasions. Dad tried to be the moderate voice of reason, but Mom was always up for a vocal game of Aggravation, a food fight or a wet dish rag face wash which suited us kids just fine!
Norma Jean will be remembered for her fondness of all things Elvis, her love for camping and berry picking and her "unreasonable" affection for bears...perhaps it was their mutual taste for blueberries!
Mom and Dad had a special attachment to the Manitoulin Island and particularly loved their Uncle Everett and Aunt Kay Armstrong and family of Gore Bay. They were not world travellers by any means but enjoyed several trips out to Alberta with friends over the years. But their real happy place was either up the 129 or down in Dayton at their "mansion" on the hill.
After Dad's passing Mom was able to stay in her own home with the help of her gentle, caring grandson Kieghan for a number of years until failing health had her move for several months up the street to Light Haven Christian Home before coming into the Manor a year ago. Mom did not do well with her loss of mobility over the last number of years, but she could still warm a room with her smile.
Special thank you to the numerous nieces, nephews, relatives and friends who took the time to visit and stay connected with Mom. Your kindness was greatly appreciated by Mom and her family. Also thank you to Nurse Amy, Bayshore home care staff, Light Haven staff and the Algoma Manor staff for your diligent and kind care!
Norma Jean was not perfect, but she had placed her faith and hope in the Jesus who is. She had the assurance that death is not a closing door but a gateway to life eternal. Her present joy is that she is absent from her body but present with her Lord (2nd Corinthians 5:6-9). Her future hope is that some grand day she and all those who have put their faith in God's one and only Son Jesus will have their mortal bodies resurrected from the grave and they will be caught up together to meet the Lord in the air (Ist Thessalonians 4:13-18) ...we as a family are comforted by this knowledge.
Public viewing at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday December 2nd at Thessalon Bible Chapel, 11 Huron Street West, followed by funeral service at 11:00 with a time of light lunch and fellowship immediately after. Private Interment at Cloudslee Cemetery to follow.
Donations in Mom's memory gratefully received to Light Haven Christian Home at www.lighthavenhome.com