NORAH ELLEN STAINTON (BRADLEY)

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NORAH ELLEN STAINTON (nee BRADLEY) On the morning of December 2, 2005 after 95 years of enviable good health, Norah Ellen Stainton (nee Bradley) died peacefully at the Tuxedo Villa. Left to appreciate our years with her are her son Michael (Joan); grandchildren, Michelle (Lloyd), Maia, Emmelia and Tassia; great-grandchildren, Abbey, Genevieve and Aaron and her brother Frank (Elly); nephews, Marvin, David, and Jim, and nieces, Elaine, Ginny, and Elizabeth. Norah was predeceased by her brother Charlie (December 26,1944, over Germany) and her sister Dorothy Boughton. Norah was born in Burton-on-Trent, England on March 29, 1910. She was the eldest of four children born to Harry and Mabel Bradley who emigrated to Canada in 1920 and settled in Hamilton, ON. Norah was a hard worker, a dependable friend, a positive soul and a lover of knowledge, all traits which carried her well through a life lived in trying times and have been passed on through her words and deeds to the family she loved. From her after-school jobs to her retirement in 1973 from International Harvester, Norah always worked, much of the time as a single mom. In 1983 Norah pulled up stakes, left her dear friends and relatives in Hamilton and moved to the St. Eustache area to a home near Michael and Joan and their growing family. With her frank opinions, abrupt sense of humour, warm friendship and love of gardening she quickly developed many new and lasting friendships, particularly amongst members of the Poplar Point Horticultural Society. Her new life in Manitoba was filled with time spent with her family, gardening in summer, feeding her wild birds and wood stove in winter and playing endless games of scrabble any time an opponent showed up--all the while maintaining her cherished independence. Though not wealthy, Norah was the soul of generosity in action, and supported many worthy causes near and far in health and education. In 2003 Norah finally retired to her last home at the Tuxedo Villa in Winnipeg, a place where she felt safe, and said many times of her caregivers, They're all really good to me here. In this regard the family would like to extend our sincerest thanks to all of the Villa staff who provided professional and loving personal care to Norah. Grief is the price we pay for love. There will be an opportunity to celebrate Norah's life at a memorial service on Saturday, December 10, at 2:00 p.m. at St. James United Church, 234 Parkview St., with Rev. Don McIntyre officiating. In memory of Norah, please plant something that will grow and add beauty to the wonderful world that Norah loved and enjoyed for 95 years, or follow her example of charity to others.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Dec 03, 2005