Obituary of Norma Armstrong
February 9, 1942 – Belfast, Northern Ireland
July 13, 2023 - Cochrane, Alberta
Norma Armstrong (Hobbs) of Cochrane, Alberta passed away at home on July 13th, 2023 at the age of 81 years. After several bouts of pancreatitis and increasing pain and discomfort over the past several years, she felt that she was ready; although she always said she felt like she was 30, in time her body had a different opinion.
Norma was mother to Sean (Leslie), Alannah (Andrew), and Oran and deeply beloved Gran to Caitrin, Conall (Christina), Aislinn (Liam), Max Molly Anne (Anita), Bennett (Isabel), and Ava, and she loved this crew immensely. Norma is also remembered by her brother Tommy (Jean) and their family.
Norma was an indomitable woman, who left her home in Belfast, Northern Ireland with her husband during The Troubles in 1968 in search of a new life. With two small children in tow and one to come, they emigrated to Canada, first to Chateauguay near Montreal, where the family lived for ten years before relocating to Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta.
Following her divorce, Norma supported her three children while working and continuing her education. In the late 1970s, she attended Grant MacEwan Community College, where she upgraded her secretarial skills to gain a diploma in Library Sciences. She was active on the Strathcona County School Board, and also eventually as a Town Councilor for the Town of Fort Saskatchewan. She worked in the Library at the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology in Edmonton for many years until her eventual move to Calgary, where she worked for the Alberta Energy and Utilities Board until her retirement.
For the last twenty years Norma lived in Cochrane, where she was often seen walking her little dog around her neighborhood, attending aquacise classes with friends, or at home watching Judge Judy and Vera. Norma loved to travel to Montreal, Northern Ireland, and Hawaii. She was an avid reader and lifelong learner.
Norma’s wishes included that there be no funeral, but please take a little walk outside and spend a moment in remembrance.
Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared and viewed here.