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NORMA CAROLINE DALY Obituary pic

NORMA CAROLINE DALY

Born: Oct 06, 1929

Date of Passing: Jan 31, 2023

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NORMA CAROLINE DALY
October 6, 1929 - January 31, 2023


Norma Caroline Daly, our beautiful mother and grandmother died peacefully on January 31, 2023.
Norma was born on Section 6-1-5W a farm south of Morden, Manitoba to Paulina (Hemminger) and Adolph Dreger on October 6, 1929. Her siblings were Martha, Robert, Fred, Adeline, Della and Donna. She grew up loving nature as she tended the cows, made secret forts in the bush, gazed at the clouds and walked to Deer Creek School. She grew up near the Pembina Valley with Germans, Icelanders, Swedes and Norwegians and enjoyed the dances at the 1-6 Hall where she honed her dancing and flirting skills. After high school in Morden she taught on Permit near Glenboro. While teaching in Cartwright, Manitoba she attracted the attention of a young farmer, John Daly who liked to dance and sing and enjoyed her style, creativity, intelligence and beauty. Saturday evening theological discussions and sing-songs with other young people deepened their friendship. They were married on October 17, 1952 and remained in that loving partnership until our father's passing in October 2021.
When the young couple decided to move in 1957 from the Daly farm to Winnipeg with two children, Norma gained employment with the Grandin School Board working at Ralph Maybank School. It was an experiment by the board to see if a married mother could teach, while raising a family. She was a success. She helped John complete his Bachelor and Masters degrees in Agriculture Economics with her fine support. Three more children joined the family and Mom worked hard over 26 years to attain a Bachelor Degree in Arts in English and Religious Studies. Forever the teacher, she tutored and mentored her whole life. She was particularly thrilled to teach English as an Alternate Language (EAL) to new immigrants, keeping in touch by letter with many, as they moved across Canada. Some of her volunteer work included being on the Board of the Provincial Council of Women Manitoba and fundraising and raising awareness for Friends of Schizophrenia.
Norma was an avid bridge player and took master classes in her 70s spurred on by her life-long learning passion. An arts and culture lover, berry picker (often jumping over an electric fence or finding them in a city park), jelly maker, cinnamon bun baker, good neighbour, stylish dresser, unaccredited music lesson adjudicator, taskmaster, literature lover, newspaper clipper, CBC listener, sun worshipper, multi-talker, pancake connoisseur and seamstress Mom also relished holding babies. She tended her plants and flowers with care and could not pass an apple tree without hoping to harvest its fruit.
Mom enjoyed listening to a wide variety of music often introduced to her by Peter Gzowski. Tasty food and conversations were enjoyed by many, at the home of John and Norma as they hosted numerous get-togethers. She enjoyed her travels with John, keeping journals of all the highlights. She was an individualist marching to her own ideas.
Thanks to the staff of Weinberg 3 at the Simkin Centre for her care during the last 22 months. Also thanks to the home care people who helped her with activities of daily living while she lived at The Parkway.
She will be remembered for her quirky sense of humour by her children, Gerry (Ovide), Donald, Sean (Janice), Barb (Dale), Shelagh (Rob) and her grandchildren, Kieran, Seamus, Ainslie, Breton, Caelan, Meara, Erin and Kyla. She will be missed by her sister Donna Zacharias, and Norman Harvey and Lois Daly as well as many cousins, nieces, nephews and friends.
Charities she supported were the Canadian Food Grains Bank (foodgrainsbank.ca) and Finca (fincacanada.org) a group that helps empower young women.
A Celebration of Life will be held this coming summer.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Feb 11, 2023

Condolences & Memories (8 entries)

  • My condolences to the Daly family. I was sad to read her Celebration of Life announcement in the July 20 newspaper of The Voice brought back many memories of what a wonderful teacher she was and how dedicated she was to the immigrant students she worked with in Winkler. I think she was the first EAL teacher in Garden Valley School Division Your parents only lived 2 short blocks from me in Morden and I enjoyed the get togethers that they hosted. I missed your parents when they moved to Winnipeg. - Posted by: Carolyn Schellenberg (Colleague at Winkler Elementary School) on: Jul 23, 2023

  • Norma was an incredible, unique, and unforgettable lady. She was an inspiration to me; I looked to Norma as a source of wisdom and insight. We became good friends in Dr. P. Noel-Bentley's Restoration and Neo-Classical literature class at the University of Manitoba in the 1970s. Norma was an exceptional teacher; she grounded her teaching in life experience and practical intelligence. She had an ability to see potential and talent that others may have taken for granted or that lay dormant. Norma recognized this creative spark or potential and nurtured it with gentle calm, encouragement, and belief that a person could advance their knowledge or improve their life in some way. She was a beautiful person with compassion and empathy. Norma loved literature, drama, art, and travel. She was a exceptional lifelong learner. Norma had a deep appreciation and awareness of life and its precious moments. Norma and I shared many fond memories....having a dinner at the Mozart Cafe (when there was one downtown!), going to the art gallery, sharing our travel experiences, browsing at antique stores, and going to various theatre productions. (Being an excellent baker and all round gourmet cook, Norma had a discerning taste if meals were not necessarily up to her standards.) As I moved forward in my studies and in my career, Norma was a steady influence in my life over 4 decades. Mrs. Norma Daly had a genuine love for humanity and the planet; she was a person who had an innocence and sense of awe with the beauty of the planet. She loved her husband, children, and her grandchildren, and took great pride in all their accomplishments. God Bless you Norma. Your kindness and compassion will never be forgotten. Thank you. Karen M. - Posted by: Dr. Karen Magro (Friend) on: Jun 16, 2023

  • Mrs. Daly was my Grade 2 teacher at Ralph Maybank. I loved her! To this day, she has remained one of my favourite teachers. I remember her as a caring person with a sense of humour and vitality. Being a bit of a shy person, she helped to bring me out of my shell. When I was in Grade 7, I began to develop my love of theatre, and Mrs. Daly attended a junior high play i was in. I recall my mom telling me afterwards that Mrs. Daly had come up to her and said that she always knew I would find a place in theatre. Throughout my life, as I continued to be involved in theatre in various capacities, I often thought of her instinctive understanding of me. Rest in peace, Mrs. Daly, and know that you made a real difference in a young girl’s life. - Posted by: Vicki Webb ( Schultz) (Former student ) on: Jun 09, 2023

  • My condolences to all the Daly family, but especially to Gerry and Donald who I remember so well from our childhood years. I always thought your Mom was a great woman; one who was full of life and boundless energy and who seemed to have a great sense of humour. I know you will have many happy memories of family life together. Take care. - Posted by: Bev (Berry) Henderson (Family friend) on: Feb 14, 2023

  • Sincerest Sympathies to John & Norma's family, Gerry, Donald, Sean, Barb and Shelagh, the kids I remember while growing up. It was your Mom's quirky sense of humor that endured me to her all those years whenever we were all together. You kids weren't always around, but even your parents visits to our winter home down south were always an adventure as I would do the touristy things they enjoyed, with them. - Posted by: Gordon Heaman (Son of Friends) on: Feb 12, 2023

  • I will always cherish my time with John and Norma. The honoured doorknob in my Christmas stocking, shredding cabbage for sauerkraut, John mapping out where I came from in NS and Norma mispronouncing names. Always felt loved and welcome. They were an amazing couple who raised amazing children. Much love to you all. - Posted by: Gayla Mason (Family Friend) on: Feb 12, 2023

  • Please accept my condolences in the passing of Mrs. Daly. John Daly was a Board member of Morden Credit Union (Now part of Access credit union) while I was employed there. Also, for a short time we lived across the street from Norma and John. I aways enjoyed the their company. God Bless! - Posted by: Hank E Hildebrand (Acquaintance) on: Feb 11, 2023

  • I'm sure John will be glad to have Norma near him. Condolences to the family. We, at the Parkway, miss them but still keep fond memories of a great couple. - Posted by: Jane Vogt (Friend at the Parkway) on: Feb 11, 2023

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