Norma Margaret Wyborn obituary (2024)

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Norma Margaret Wyborn. Norma passed away peacefully surrounded by love and family.

Norma’s view was that every life should be celebrated. She felt the focus should be on the life that was lived. Norma’s life was full and we feel blessed that we were lucky enough to call her Mom.

Norma was born in St. Catherines, ON, to Mary and William Thomas. Her life took a dramatic turn when William, along with his father and brother, passed away due to an accident. Mary was left with a heartbreaking situation. Striving to do her best for her children, she was placed in a position where she had to give some of them up for adoption but, her love for her children remained throughout her life.

Norma was blessed to be adopted into the White family: her mother, who went by Haddie, and her father Lorne, along with sister Lorna. Her brother Al was later added to the family.

Norma lived in Welland, ON, where she attended school. She met Greg through her brother in-law Hans, and they were married in 1962.

Norma and Greg welcomed four children into their lives. Throughout their marriage they moved several times and lived in Ancaster, Burlington, Belleville, back to Burlington (ON), Grande Prairie (AB), Campbellton (NB), Rothesay (NB), then back to St. Catherines. In 2000, they returned to Grande Prairie to be closer to family where they lived until passing.

Norma was always busy and got involved in several organizations throughout her life. Together with Greg, they started Toastmasters in Grande Prairie. She was actively involved in both the figure skating club and the Girl Guides. When she moved to Campbellton, she volunteered at the veteran’s hospital where she made such an impact on the residents that when she moved, they created a paid position to replace the work she had been doing. She spent many hours volunteering at the food bank and worked in the church in Rothesay running a kindergarten program. Norma put her heart into everything she did and enjoyed being able to help others.

Norma loved to sew. She spent many hours at the sewing machine creating amazing clothes and costumes for all her children and grandchildren for Halloween, skating shows and even graduation.

Norma loved animals and nature. Her pets were her extra children. We know she is with all of them and spoiling them once again.

Norma will be lovingly remembered by her children Gwen (Buzz), Brian, Nanci and Craig (Lorianne), her dear sister Lorna, brother Al (June), sister in-law Ann, sisters Judy, Rosemary, Marie, Janet, and brother Frank. In addition, grandchildren: Stacey (Barry), Amanda (Dwight), Chelsea (Trevor) Jordan, Kierstin, Logan (Emilee), Shelby, Lexi, Sydney, Jack, Van, Brianna, Cecelia, Kiarra, Brian Jr., great-grandchildren: Emma Rae, Phoenix, Rylan, Kayson, Mathias, Brayden, Mavis, Avery and Benjamin, along with numerous nieces and nephews.

Norma was predeceased by her husband of 56 years Gregory, mother and father Hazel and Lorne White, birth parents Mary and William Thomas, mother and father in-law Phyllis and Leonard, brothers in-law, Hans, Bob, Ian and John, sister in-law Nancy, nephews Ted and Russell and great-granddaughter Everly.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, May 25, 2024, at 11:00am, at Oliver’s Funeral Home in Grande Prairie (10005 107 Ave.). Luncheon to follow in Oliver’s Tearoom with interment to follow at 2:00pm, at the Grande Prairie Cemetery (84th Ave and 112th St.).