Obituary for Norma Margaret Eileen Ferguson
FERGUSON, NORMA EILEEN
June 1, 1930 – October 22, 2022
Norma Eileen Ferguson died peacefully at The Saul and Claribel Simkin Centre on October 22, 2022. Born on June 1, 1930, in Dominion City, Manitoba, she was the much loved only child of Margaret Elizabeth (Lamont) and Dr. James ‘Jim’ Davidson. A beloved mother, grandmother (aka ‘Tutu’) and great-grandmother, she is survived by her daughters, Patti (Dana Erickson) and Valerie, grandchildren, Jenny, Andrew (Katie), Adam (Erica), Stephen (Brianna), Emily (Bryton) and Ben, and by her great-grandchildren, Emma, Griffin, Olivia and Piper. Norma was predeceased by her dearly loved husband Dr. George ‘Fergy’ Ferguson, daughter Margot (Alex McLean) and granddaughter Leslie Osborne.
Although Mom grew up an only child, she loved her large extended family - the Davidson’s in Russell and the Lamont’s in Dominion City – and felt that her many cousins were almost as close as siblings to her. She was raised and educated in Winnipeg, attending Robert H. Smith, Queenston and Rupert’s Land Schools. Many of the school friendships she made remained a constant throughout her life, and she cherished them. She later attended the Minnesota Institute of Technology where she obtained her diploma as a Medical Technician.
Upon her return to Winnipeg, she met a young RCAF Navigation Officer, and in 1953 she and George (Fergy) were married. After he completed his degree at the Canadian Chiropractic College in Toronto, they settled in Winnipeg where Dad became a partner with The Winnipeg Chiropractic Clinic. Here they raised their 3 daughters - Patti, Margot and Valerie – and were blessed to celebrate nearly 57 years of marriage together.
Being a ‘traditional’ homemaker did not mean that Mom spent her days in the house. In addition to raising their family and building a home, Mom was always active in giving back to her community. Whether it was working as a volunteer in the Laidlaw School library, teaching Sunday School and conducting committee work for St. Andrews River Heights United Church, organizing activities and events with the Khartum Shrine Temple, performing as a puppeteer in school-based productions with The Junior League of Winnipeg, or supporting educational opportunities for women as a member of Chapter H of the P.E.O. Sisterhood, she lived a busy and rewarding life. She treasured summers spent at the family cottage at Clear Lake, and the company of her ‘summer friends’ who would meet regularly for Clear Lake Recipe Parties or Saturday night charades parties.
She was a hostess extraordinaire, loving nothing better than to host and entertain for family and friends. Whether at home or at the lake all were welcome, and her gatherings would invariably feature frozen daiquiri’s, ‘pupu’s’ and her legendary pecan tarts.
An avid bridge player, Mom also enjoyed reading, baking, an eclectic range of music, and nurturing her dozens of plants.
There were many family vacations and cross-country road trips through the years – Mexico, Palm Desert, the Grand Canyon and Hawaii come to mind – and Mom and Dad both loved their international travel experiences through their Shrine affiliations. A new network of friends was added later in life when they spent winter months in Isla Mujeres, Mexico.
One of Mom’s greatest joys was in being a ‘Tutu’ (Hawaiian for grandmother). She was immensely proud of the accomplishments of all her grandchildren and her family are thankful that she remained a loving and encouraging presence in their lives for as long as she could be. Although she experienced many health challenges in recent years, she never failed to share a smile and a loving thought. We will all miss her terribly.
We thank the staff of The Saul and Claribel Simkin Centre for their dedicated care during the years that Mom resided there.
Friends are invited to attend a celebration of Norma's life, on Thursday, November 10th, at 11:00 am at St. Andrew’s River Heights United Church, Oak and Kingsway.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Manitoba P.E.O. Foundation (c/o The Winnipeg Foundation) or to a charity of your choice.
June 1, 1930 – October 22, 2022
Norma Eileen Ferguson died peacefully at The Saul and Claribel Simkin Centre on October 22, 2022. Born on June 1, 1930, in Dominion City, Manitoba, she was the much loved only child of Margaret Elizabeth (Lamont) and Dr. James ‘Jim’ Davidson. A beloved mother, grandmother (aka ‘Tutu’) and great-grandmother, she is survived by her daughters, Patti (Dana Erickson) and Valerie, grandchildren, Jenny, Andrew (Katie), Adam (Erica), Stephen (Brianna), Emily (Bryton) and Ben, and by her great-grandchildren, Emma, Griffin, Olivia and Piper. Norma was predeceased by her dearly loved husband Dr. George ‘Fergy’ Ferguson, daughter Margot (Alex McLean) and granddaughter Leslie Osborne.
Although Mom grew up an only child, she loved her large extended family - the Davidson’s in Russell and the Lamont’s in Dominion City – and felt that her many cousins were almost as close as siblings to her. She was raised and educated in Winnipeg, attending Robert H. Smith, Queenston and Rupert’s Land Schools. Many of the school friendships she made remained a constant throughout her life, and she cherished them. She later attended the Minnesota Institute of Technology where she obtained her diploma as a Medical Technician.
Upon her return to Winnipeg, she met a young RCAF Navigation Officer, and in 1953 she and George (Fergy) were married. After he completed his degree at the Canadian Chiropractic College in Toronto, they settled in Winnipeg where Dad became a partner with The Winnipeg Chiropractic Clinic. Here they raised their 3 daughters - Patti, Margot and Valerie – and were blessed to celebrate nearly 57 years of marriage together.
Being a ‘traditional’ homemaker did not mean that Mom spent her days in the house. In addition to raising their family and building a home, Mom was always active in giving back to her community. Whether it was working as a volunteer in the Laidlaw School library, teaching Sunday School and conducting committee work for St. Andrews River Heights United Church, organizing activities and events with the Khartum Shrine Temple, performing as a puppeteer in school-based productions with The Junior League of Winnipeg, or supporting educational opportunities for women as a member of Chapter H of the P.E.O. Sisterhood, she lived a busy and rewarding life. She treasured summers spent at the family cottage at Clear Lake, and the company of her ‘summer friends’ who would meet regularly for Clear Lake Recipe Parties or Saturday night charades parties.
She was a hostess extraordinaire, loving nothing better than to host and entertain for family and friends. Whether at home or at the lake all were welcome, and her gatherings would invariably feature frozen daiquiri’s, ‘pupu’s’ and her legendary pecan tarts.
An avid bridge player, Mom also enjoyed reading, baking, an eclectic range of music, and nurturing her dozens of plants.
There were many family vacations and cross-country road trips through the years – Mexico, Palm Desert, the Grand Canyon and Hawaii come to mind – and Mom and Dad both loved their international travel experiences through their Shrine affiliations. A new network of friends was added later in life when they spent winter months in Isla Mujeres, Mexico.
One of Mom’s greatest joys was in being a ‘Tutu’ (Hawaiian for grandmother). She was immensely proud of the accomplishments of all her grandchildren and her family are thankful that she remained a loving and encouraging presence in their lives for as long as she could be. Although she experienced many health challenges in recent years, she never failed to share a smile and a loving thought. We will all miss her terribly.
We thank the staff of The Saul and Claribel Simkin Centre for their dedicated care during the years that Mom resided there.
Friends are invited to attend a celebration of Norma's life, on Thursday, November 10th, at 11:00 am at St. Andrew’s River Heights United Church, Oak and Kingsway.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Manitoba P.E.O. Foundation (c/o The Winnipeg Foundation) or to a charity of your choice.