She was born and raised in Jaffray, BC, the youngest daughter of Edwin and Hilma Damstrom, a pioneer Jaffray couple who had immigrated from Sweden, and Norma’s Swedish heritage was important to her.  She remained in Jaffray until 1941, when she moved to Kimberley and met her husband, George.  They were married in Vancouver in 1943 and resided there while they raised their children, sons, Darcy, Terry, and Tracy, and daughter, Debby.  In 1958 they moved to Rosen Lake, (Jaffray), BC and managed, operated and developed the Rosen Lake Resort campground and the mobile home park.  After their retirement they moved to Cranbrook in 1986.

Besides her many attributes such as gardening, cooking, sewing, and golfing, Norma was extremely independent and lived on her own until the age of 96.  Her greatest quality was her strength.  She was a strong woman who faced life’s ups and downs with constant optimism, humour, common sense, compassion and faith.  She always reached out to all of her family and was genuinely interested in each of their lives, and would talk with them rather than to them.

Norma was predeceased by her parents, Edwin and Hilma, her brothers, Rudy, Edgar, Art, Arvid, Einar and Donnie, and her sisters, Ruth, Mary, and Lily.  She was also predeceased by her sons, Terry (1994), Tracy (1999), and Darcy (2004), and her husband, George (2008).

She is survived by her daughter, Debby (Bob), granddaughters,  Sara (James), Allison, Hillary (Glen), Rebecca (Oliver), Leah (Jason), Erin (Ashley), Melanie (Mike) and Nancy; step-grandsons, Randy, Brad and Brian,  together with their extended families, great-grandchildren, Tysen, Jack, Kaden, Brycen, Keean, Maddy, Morgan, Harper and Sully, daughter-in-laws, Dorothy and Pat, and several nieces and  nephews.

Our family would like to express their thanks to the nurses and care aides at the F.W. Green Home for their care and compassion for Norma.

At Norma’s request there will be no service as the family will be having a private family gathering at a later date.  In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Norma’s name can be made to the Canadian Heart and Stroke Foundation or the Canadian Cancer Society.

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