Obituary of Norma Jean BECK

May 20, 1946 – April 4, 2021
Calgary, Alberta

After many years of riding the rollercoaster of health, our loving mother, Norma Jean Beck passed away peacefully on Easter Sunday, April 4, 2021 at the age of 74, with her loving family by her side.

Norma was born on May 20, 1946 in Calgary, AB, where she lived, loved and laughed her entire life.  

Norma grew up in Manchester, Calgary in a quaint little home her parents built. She was the youngest of three, Jim, Carol and Norma, until she was thirteen. At that time her sister Sheila was born and another six years later, her youngest sister Cindy was born.

Norma started singing when she was in Sunday school, and when she was nine, she taught herself how to play the accordion. When she turned ten she auditioned and played on “The Good Deed Radio Show” that aired from the Palace Theatre in downtown Calgary.

Norma learned a strong work ethic early on as she and her older siblings cleaned office buildings with their mother until Norma got her first job in grade 9 at the Embers Drive-In.

She started high school at Henry WiseWood where she took business classes, bookkeeping, business machines, typing, short hand etc. In Grade 11, Norma was offered her first office position as a Clerk/ Stenographer for The City of Calgary Finance Department while continuing her education in the evening. Norma had taken on several different and challenging roles throughout her career, thriving in secretarial/ Executive office management roles but also excelling in any and all positions that were presented to her. She always faced a challenge head on and would take initiative to learn whatever skills required were to play that role.

It is when working at the Embers, Norma met Edward Mattern, together they introduced her sister Carol to his brother Frank. In 1965, Norma and Ed married in a double wedding with Carol and Frank by their side.

Norma never abandoned her love of singing or playing the accordion; in her spare time she also taught herself to play guitar. She began singing for the house band at the Tradewinds hotel in the evenings until she started her most important position, as matriarch, mother and advocate. In 1982, Norma and Ed divorced but continued to be an integral part of each others lives, remaining close until his passing in 2020. Norma lived for her children, and her grandchildren, she loved this role the most. She was assertive, independent, courageous, capable, and resourceful and she loved family, friends and all of the people that she met along her journey.

Norma was a light, full of zest, life, love and laughter. She lived life to the fullest and loved to travel.  She ran into her childhood friend, Emil Balde in 2000 and they were married in 2001. Norma and Emil spent most of their time together enjoying grand-parenting, and travelling in their motor home; introducing Emil to her love of camping, rodeos, and fishing, going to shows in Vegas, LA, Disneyland and many other adventures until his passing in 2010.

Norma helped us all to live, learn, laugh, love, and instilled in us the love of music. She always had a guitar, a song and the courage to persevere. Norma’s mantra was “If there is a will, there is a way.”

Norma is survived by her children, Jett Nyx (Amy) from London, England, Melanie Robson (Duane) and Tammy Lane (Gordon) all of Calgary, AB; grandchildren, Maya Jordan Nyx from London, England, Tianna Lane, Adam Lane, Megan Robson and Haley Robson all from Calgary, AB. Norma is also survived by her sisters, Sheila Gray, and Cindy Ma (Rob) from Vancouver, brother-in-law Kim (Pat) from Calgary, AB; nieces, Adele, Sherry, Michelle, Sara, Brittney and Amber; and nephews, Matthew and Brandyn; as well as several great-nieces and nephews, cousins, friends and several beautiful people who will always see her as “Auntie Norma, Mom, friend.”

Norma was predeceased by her parents, Elsie Jean (1982) and James Francis (1992), husband Emil (2010), soulmate Edward Leon (January 22, 2020), son John (January 31, 1985), brother James (2010), sister Carol and brother-in-law Frank (March 2012); and nephews, Trent (November 2004) and most recently Michael (January 20, 2020)

There will be a Private Viewing Sunday, April 25, please contact the family if you would like to attend.

A Private Funeral Service will be held on Monday, April 26, 2021 at 10:30 a.m. Condolences, memories and photos can also be shared and viewed here.

In living memory of Norma Beck, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Park Memorial, 5008 Elbow Drive SW, Calgary, AB T2S 2L5, Telephone: 403-243-8200.