Obituary of GROVE – Norma Louisa

January 23, 1928 – November 27, 2010 It is with profound love that her family announces the passing of our beautiful mother, sister, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt and wife, Norma. Mom was an amazing woman with a gentle loving spirit who made friends wherever she went. Mom was born in Toronto and moved to Red Deer in the mid 1930’s with her parents and six siblings. She met the love of her life when she was 10 years old, the boy next door, David Grove. The Scott and Grove kids had fun playing baseball together in the backyard. Along with her sisters and her brother, she enjoyed working at her Dad’s 5 cent to $1 store. After graduation and marrying David, the adventurous couple moved to Yellowknife, where David worked in the gold mine and Norma worked in the company store. It was in Yellowknife that they had their first child, Charles. Two years later they moved to Edmonton where Sandra was born. They eventually settled back in Red Deer where the family welcomed two more additions, Laura and Gordon. After raising her family and enjoying volunteer work and her hobbies of bowling, knitting and painting, she worked in the library at the high school. In 1979, Norma, David and Gordon moved to Victoria, B.C. where they enjoyed many seaside walks and coffees at the breakwater. She continued her volunteer work and furthered her passion for life long learning by taking a wide variety of courses. At all of Dad’s races, Mom was always there to cheer him on at the finish line. The challenges of Alzheimer’s brought them back to family in Calgary in 2002. Mom spent her last six years at the Bethany Harvest Hills. Words cannot express our appreciation for the loving care and attention that she received from the staff who were an inspiration to our entire family. Our hearts will always smile when we think of Mom. Mom will always be cherished by her loving husband and best friend, David; her four children, Charles Grove (Patricia), Sandra Jonsson (Dan Sager), Laura Locke (Bill), Gordon Grove (Olesya); grandchildren, Scott Lipka (Lauri), Jennifer Rees (Paul Tomlinson), David Grove (Charlotte Potot), Jesse Locke (Marki Sveen), Jonathan Grove, Meghan Locke (Tim Konditi), Peter Locke, Brenan Grove; great-grandchildren, Brandon and Kyle Rees and Katherine and Emma Lipka. Norma is survived by her beloved little sister Patsy Cathro (Bob); sister-in-law Velda Scott; and brothers-in-law, Bjorn Pedersen and Ned Burgess and numerous nieces and nephews. Mom is now lovingly waiting for us all at Heaven’s Finish Line. If roses grow in heaven, Lord Please pick a bunch for us. Place them in our Mother’s arms And tell her they’re from us. Tell her we love her and miss her, And when she turns to smile Place a kiss upon her cheek And hold her for awhile. Because remembering her is easy, We do it every day, But there is an ache within our hearts That will never go away. A Celebration of Norma’s Life will be held at McINNIS & HOLLOWAY’S Crowfoot Chapel (82 Crowfoot Circle N.W.), on Wednesday, December 1, 2010 at 2:30 p.m. You may forward condolences through www.mcinnisandholloway.com. If friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made directly to the Bethany Care Foundation – Harvest Hills, #1001 – 17th Street N.W., Calgary, AB T2N 2E5 Telephone: (403) 210-4600, email: bcf@bethanycare.com. In living memory of Norma Grove, a tree will be planted at Big Hill Springs Park, Cochrane by McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES, Crowfoot Chapel, 82 CROWFOOT CIRCLE N.W. Telephone: (403) 241-0044.