Obituary of Norman Wesley Robinson

ROBINSON, Norman Wesley

August 22, 1929 – January 17, 2024

ROBINSON, Mabel Edna (nee Bracken)

June 24, 1931 – June 7, 2023

Norm and Mabel met in the village of Clandeboye, MB, where they both attended school. They became high school sweethearts and moved to Winnipeg to get jobs so they could marry. Norm was an accomplished athlete playing junior hockey in his teens and then when he moved to the city, he played competitive men’s fastball for many years and had multiple broken fingers as souvenirs. He also started to curl competitively and continued to do so until his knees gave out. Once his fastball days were behind him, Norm took up golfing which he was able to enjoy for decades.

Norm worked for Federated Co-op for over forty years. During this time, he and Mabel made friends with the Morins, the Pettems, and Lyle and Lieta Robinson (no relation). The four couples enjoyed decades of adventures together. Dad believed in giving back to the community. He coached little league baseball, volunteered, and served on the board of the Thistle Curling Club for many years, as well as serving as president of the condo board for multiple terms.

Mabel played ball in a mixed league when they moved to Winnipeg and took up curling. Mabel and Norm curled together in a mixed league for many years. Once the girls were born, she quit working outside the home and dedicated herself to raising us. She had a huge garden when we were young and spent many hours growing, cultivating, freezing, canning, and baking. She taught herself to sew and made many outfits for us over the years.

Once we were in school, Mom went back to work outside the home. She also learned a variety of crafts throughout the years. She will always be remembered for the most beautifully wrapped gifts! Each was a work of art. Mabel is fondly remembered for sitting quietly during family gatherings and then when you least expect it, she would deliver one-line zingers.

Norm and Mabel were married for almost seventy years. Shortly after Mabel passed away, Norm wrote a short note for her, “Forever loved, missed always.” Norm and Mabel are now together forever. They are survived by their daughters, Karen Slobogian (Len) and Barbara Ennis (Bill Chodyka-deceased) and their families, as well as some of their siblings.

We would like to thank every member of the Agape Hospice team for the incredible care they provided Norm in his last weeks. They did all they could to make him as comfortable as possible while allowing him his dignity. Their compassion and dedication helped each of us through this journey.

In Lieu of flowers please consider a memorial tribute to the Aga[e Hospice, 1302-8 Avenue N.W., Calgary, AB T2N 1B8 Telephone: (403) 282-6588 Website: http://agapehospice.ca/.

Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared and viewed with Norman and Mabel’s family here.

In living memory of Norman and Mabel, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Calgary Crematorium, 3219 – 4th Street NW, Calgary, AB, T2M 3A6, Telephone: 403-299-0111.