Kindness as a way of life

Norma Jean Schussler’s accomplishments abound, but caring is her legacy

By: Janine LeGal

A woman of innumerable skills and talents, Norma Jean Schussler had a long list of interests and a few different careers during her rewarding and purposeful life.

The mother, grandmother and great-grandmother won awards and accolades for her list of versatile accomplishments, but it was her generosity of spirit that caught the attention of everyone she met. Schussler not only aspired towards kindness but made it a way of life.

She died Feb. 2 at the age of 93.

Born in Jacksonville, Ill., the only child spent most of her younger years in Springfield, Ill. She was a bright student who excelled in every activity she pursued. An accomplished cellist and pianist, she was active in the orchestra, and had proudly played at the Illinois governor’s mansion. She was also vice-president of the Rainbow Girls, a youth organization that promotes leadership training, personal growth and community service. Though she never liked any kind of confrontation or argument, she held her own as an enthusiastic member of the school debating team.

By the time she graduated from Springfield High School in 1949 she had earned a four-year scholarship to Illinois State University to pursue a teaching degree.

It was while in university that she met Botho (Bo) Schussler, a Canadian whom she married in 1953. They went on to create a new life in his country of origin, beginning in Calgary and Saskatoon, and then settling in Winnipeg, where they had two children, daughter Laurie and son Grant.

“She was very proud and fond of Winnipeg. It was home. They had really grown to love Winnipeg. It was a wonderful place to raise a family,” said daughter Laurie Keats, adding her mother became a Canadian citizen in 1974.

During those early years, Schussler the wife, mother and teacher added speech and hearing pathologist to her CV.

Then, in 1969, the family launched the popular accessories boutique Boes Ltd. — named after Bo. Of the eight locations, three remain to this day.

“To start up your own company, that’s very hard,” said daughter Laurie Keats.

But it would take years for Schussler to change her main focus to the business. She continued her work for the Child Guidance Clinic, which was instrumental in supporting the family during the new business startup.

“She started off as a teacher, and then became a speech and hearing pathologist. That was really her true love,” said Keats.

Then, the family business ultimately required more time and commitment, which resulted in big life changes for everyone.

“She would always help my dad,” explained Keats. “She would work there every Saturday, at the Grant Park Shopping Centre. They would have date night at the pizza place in the mall after work.”

In 1979, Schussler decided to leave her career to work alongside her husband, at Boes, full time.

“It was a bit of a transition for her. He really needed the help. It was busy. My brother and I were both very involved.”

After her husband’s death in 1988, Schussler took the reins at Boes. Her hard work and dedication did not go unnoticed. She was named a finalist for the 1995 Canadian Woman Entrepreneur of the Year Award, and awarded the Manitoba Women in Business Lifetime Achievement Award in 1997.

Pinder Mohal remembers meeting Schussler back in 1990. The founder of European Skin Care Plus said the friendship was magical right from the start.

“She was very kind. She was very generous,” said Mohal. “She was always thinking of others, never of herself.”

Over more than two decades, the two friends shared an interest in spiritual explorations.

“She meditated a lot. She read a lot. It was basically discussions about God. She was very spiritual. She read Deepak Chopra and she read the Dalai Lama,” she continued, noting that, even at age 13, Schussler had written a paper about the spiritual leader and head of Tibetan Buddhism.

“She was pious. She was beautiful inside out, a very beautiful person always thinking of others and asking, ‘What can I do for others?’ It’s hard to believe that there can be people who are so kind, caring and loving.”

When Schussler wasn’t running a business and involved in the lives of her nine great-grandchildren and five grandchildren, she delighted in one of her favourite places. Summers were spent at Eagle Lake, Ont., working at the fishing camps until the family purchased their own cottage. She loved fishing, especially muskie fishing.

“She was an incredible fisherwoman and would catch 35- to 40-pound fish,” said daughter Keats. “I think about some of the meals that she would have for us. She was an amazing cook.

“She loved to sit on the porch. She loved the loons and the eagles, and the hummingbirds. Whenever I see a hummingbird I think about my mom.”

In her later years, Schussler was also an active member of the Manitoba Camera Club and the Reh-Fit Centre.

In 2023, Schussler lost her son Grant to colon cancer. A few days after he died, she had a stroke.

“I don’t think her heart could take it, it was so hard on her,” said Keats.

“My mom was the kindest, most thoughtful, caring person. She always would say even in these last few years, ‘What can I do to help you?’ She always wanted to help others. I never heard my mom say a bad word about anyone — she was so interested in anything that people had to say.

“She was a beautiful person. She would wake up every morning so grateful for life. My mom, she was always such a positive person, so happy with what she had — all of the things. She had a way about her. I aspire to be like her, that’s for sure.”

fpcity@freepress.mb.ca