RUTH HELEN NORRIS

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RUTH HELEN NORRIS (nee LINDGREN) December 2, 1920 - July 2, 2016 Ruth Helen Norris (nee Lindgren) died after a brief illness on Saturday, July 2, 2016 at Grace Hospital in Winnipeg, at the age of 95 years. Canada has lost another proud veteran of the Second World War. Left to mourn are Ruth's children, Bob (Nancy) of Cooks Creek, Manitoba, daughter Audrey Wuckert (Jim) of Winnipeg, and son Brad (Cathy) of Ottawa; grandchildren, Carly, Lindy, Robby, Jenny and Scott. The eldest of nine, Ruth is survived by her sister Rowena Berg of Kingston, Ontario. She was predeceased by siblings, Ralph, Ross, Roger, Roland, Reg, Richard and Ruby. Mom and her family were pioneers of this great country who helped settle the west. She was a survivor, born in a farmhouse with no electricity or running water near Congress, Saskatchewan. At only three and a half pounds she wasn't expected to survive, so they put her in a shoe box in the warming oven of the wood stove, but survive she did. Instilled by her parents with strong family values, Mom became the matriarch of the Norris and Lindgren clans, respected as a role model who readily shared her wisdom and humour with her grandchildren, nieces and nephews. Ruth served her country in the Second World War in the Royal Canadian Air Force from March, 1943 until December, 1946. She was a proud veteran who always attended Remembrance Day services and was regularly asked to place a wreath at the 17 Wing Memorial on behalf of all Canadian women who served. While in the Air Force in Winnipeg, she met Bert Norris and they were married in Congress, SK on February 22, 1947. The roads and railway lines were all impassable due to a blizzard so Dad hired a plane that landed in the schoolyard and they went to the church in a horse-drawn sleigh. Dad stayed in the Air Force after the war, which took us to bases from Saskatoon to Bagotville, PQ and North Bay, ON. Wherever we lived, Mom always played the organ at church. On Dad's retirement from the Air Force in 1965, they moved to Winnipeg. Mom worked in the Emergency Department at the Grace Hospital from 1966 to 1989. She was very active in an organization of the RCAF Women's Division former members and attended their conferences across Canada until their numbers dwindled away. You didn't visit Ruth's home without being fed. She was a great cook and always welcomed people into her home, whether family, friends or even someone whose car had broken down on a cold winter day. Ruth's biggest enjoyment in life was her family and the times spent with them. She doted on her grandchildren and loved reading to them, especially the book "Stinky Feet". Ruth also enjoyed a spicy Caesar now and then. When she finally agreed it was time to move out of the house at the age of 91, she bought a condominium, saying assisted living places were for "old people" and she wasn't ready for that yet. Unfortunately, Ruth's health declined over the past year and while we hoped she would recover, it was not to be. She will be missed terribly, our lives changed forever. Ruth's Funeral Service will be held on Tuesday, July 12, 2016 at 1:00 p.m. in Sturgeon Creek United Church, 207 Thompson Drive, Winnipeg, with Rev. Jody Miles, presider. Interment will follow in Chapel Lawn Cemetery, 4000 Portage Avenue. We want to thank the staff at the Grace Hospital for the care and compassion provided to Mom and ourselves during her final days, especially those on 3 South and to Dr. Ron George in particular. In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to the Grace Hospital Foundation in Mom's name, 300 Booth Dr., Winnipeg, MB, R3J 3M7. Wojcik's Funeral Chapels & Crematorium, Winnipeg, 2157 Portage Avenue, 204.897.4665 wojciksfuneralchapel.com

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jul 09, 2016