Obituary of Norma Lillian SCHINDELKA (nee Besse)

August 7, 1930 – Biggar, Saskatchewan
March 5, 2020 – Calgary, Alberta

Norma Schindelka of Calgary, AB, passed away peacefully in the early hours of Thursday, March 5, 2020 at the age of 89 years after a valliant battle with Alzheimers Disease.

Norma was born in Turtleford, SK on August 7, 1930 and grew up in Biggar, SK. She was an avid figure skater in her younger years. Norma was quite sporty and athletic as a young woman; she played baseball and she and her husband Ray played together in a curling league.  As a young woman she moved to Edmonton where she met and married Ray. Soon thereafter they moved to Montreal and then had a series of moves back to various parts of Alberta, a brief move to Los Angeles in the early 1970’s and then back to Alberta where she, Ray and children landed in Calgary. After raising her children she began a career working in retail fashion and worked well past the usual retirement age.

Norma will be remembered as a loving wife, mother and a proud, doting grandmother who loved her family dearly. Her kind and gentle nature, elegance, grace and beautiful spirit will be truly missed. 

Besides her loving husband of sixty-three years, Raymond Schindelka,  Norma is survived by her daughters, Valerie Gray, Lori Schindelka, Faye Schindelka (Inrig); sons-in-law Eric Inrig and John Gray; six amazing grandchildren, Jax Inrig, Iris Inrig, Nicholas Gray, Andrew Gray, Moira Gray and Catriona Gray. She is also survived by her sisters-in-law, Betty Besse, Irene Besse, Gladys Fosti and Gloria Lynch; and many nieces, nephews and cousins. 

Norma was predeceased by her sons, Bobby Schindelka (December 1959-May 1960) and Murray Schindelka (October 1964 –November 2005). She was also predeceased by her twin brother Norm and younger brother Tom and her parents, Thomas and Kathleen Besse.

A Private Family Service will be held at a later date. Condolences, memories and photos may be shared and viewed on Norma’s obituary at www.McInnisandHolloway.com.

In living memory of Norma Schindelka, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES, Fish Creek, 14441 BANNISTER ROAD SE, CALGARY, AB, T2X 3J3, Telephone: 403- 256-9575.