Jean NORRIE

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NORRIE: Jean Norrie died unexpectedly at home in Virden at the age of 81 on Sunday, October 28th, 2012. She was the beloved wife of the late Archie Norrie and loving mother to Joanne, Janice, and Denise. She was born Emily Jean Harrison on August 22nd, 1931. She was the fourth child in a family of five, born to Harry and Mary Harrison. They lived on farm near Isabella, MB, and Jean received her education at Isabella school. After her schooling at Isabella, she lived briefly in Winnipeg, taking Licensed Practical Nursing. She never completed this, as she returned home to Isabella, to help care for her niece, Lynne Harrison, whose mother had died. Jean lived with her brother Charlie, and continued to care for Lynne for more than two years. Jean then taught for one year at River Valley School, east of Virden. She enjoyed her time with her pupils and their families of this small stone school. Jean and Archie were married in the Isabella United Church on November 14th, 1953. Together they raised their three daughters on the farm that had been homesteaded by Jean’s maternal grandparents, Charles and Jane Craig. They lived there until moving to Virden in September of 2005. Jean was predeceased by Archie, her parents Harry and Mary Harrison, brothers Jim, Doug, Charlie (Verna and Isobel), sister Margaret (Allan) Dickie, niece Lynne Harrison Dunitz, and great-niece Cathy-Jo Harrison. She was also predeceased by Archie’s family: parents John and Helen Norrie, brothers George (killed in World War II), Bill (Lois), Gordon, Charlie (Phyllis and Eunice), Cyril, sisters Thelma (Don) Carnegie, Eleanor (Mel) Begg, Cora (Ted) Shier, nephews Don Norrie and Ron Norrie, and niece Lauren Kennedy. Jean is survived by her three daughters: Joanne (Ron) Huberdeau of Isabella, Janice Norrie of Medicine Hat, AB, and Denise (Bernard) Simard of St. Lazare. Also left to mourn are her grandchildren and their families: Leigh (Margaret), Bree-Anne, Jodan, and Aanick Huberdeau of Rainbow Lake, AB; Joel Huberdeau (Barb Kowalzik) of Airdrie, AB; Daniel (Sylvia), Jonah, Jaicee, and Jax Huberdeau of Grande Pointe, MB; Jamie (Tana), Acadia, and Deon Huberdeau of Isabella; Andrea Klassen of Kamloops, BC; Brian Simard and Jared Simard of Brandon, MB and Jenna Simard of St. Lazare, MB. She is also survived by sisters-in-law Jeannine Harrison of Hamiota, Doreen Norrie of Isabella, and Gloria Norrie of High River, AB, brother-in-law Frank (Ruth) Norrie of Surrey, BC, as well as numerous and special nieces and nephews. The celebration of Jean’s life was held in the Isabella Community Church with Linda Clark officiating on Saturday, November 3rd, 2012. Her six grandsons were pallbearers and the organist was Marj Barteaux. Her grandson Daniel Huberdeau gave the eulogy, which captured Jean’s love of children. The choir consisted of friends from surrounding communities. The interment was in the Isabella cemetery, followed by a reception in the Isabella hall, served by the ladies of the community. Rae’s Funeral Home of Shoal Lake, MB, was in care of arrangements.

As published in Brandon Sun on Dec 15, 2012