Skip to content

(nee McKinlay)

November 26, 1921 - April 1, 2013

It is with a great deal of sadness that our family announce the passing of our mother, grandmother, great and great-great grandmother, Norma.

Norma was predeceased by her husband Arthur, (Feb.. 2005) and her daughter Elizabeth (Betty) Paquette (2002).

Born of pioneer parents in Youngstown, A1berta, Norma was the elder daughter of 4 boys and 4 girls. Norma and Art married in 1941 in Bonnyville, AB and farmed in that area until the call of the west took them to Terrace in May of 1956.

They lived in Terrace until 1973 when they retired to Kelowna. Mother worked first at Traveller’s cafe and then the Terrace Co-op where she stayed for 6 years only leaving to help Art run Art’s Chevron Service. Mother operated a small coffee shop attached to Art’s garage. She was known for her wonderful pies, her laughter and her welcoming personality to her local customers, travellers and neighbours of Lakelse Lake Road.

Mother played softball for years and helped establish the Terrace Sr. women’s softball team in Terrace. She was also an avid bowler.

Upon moving to Westbank, Norma developed a ceramics studio where she taught many the art of ceramics. They lived for several years in Armstrong before moving to Nanaimo where Art and Norma finally really retired in 2002 where Art left us in 2005. Norma then moved to live in Lake Cowichan for severa1 years before returning to Terrace to be with family in 2011.

Norma will be missed by her many nieces and nephews. She was the last of her siblings to depart to a better place.

Norma leaves to mourn her elder daughter Elsie Bellamy; son Larry (Laurelle) Bellamy and daughter Carol Tencza.

May she rest in peace in the joy of reunion with her many family members who predeceased her.



Your condolences will be approved within one business day. You will need a valid Facebook account. Please email us if you have any questions.