Obituary of Norma Mae Thomas

THOMAS: Norma Mae Thomas passed away peacefully at the Brandon Regional Health Centre on Sunday, August 9, 2015 at the age of 87 years. Mom was born April 6, 1928 at the family farm near Waskada, MB to George Alexander Murray and Armilda (Mamie) May Murray (nee Howden). She often joked that the Easter Bunny had brought her - as her birthday fell on Good Friday that year. Mom grew up with and is survived by her sister Florence Cowan of Reston, MB, sister Audrey Maddess of Fairview Home, Brandon, previously from Medora, MB, brother Bill (Margaret) Murray of Calgary, AB, and sister Mildred (Terry) Hillis of Brandon, MB. Mom was predeceased by her parents George Murray (1989) and Mamie (1995), her husband Gerald in 1986, brother Glenn in 2008, brother-in-law Alex Cowan in 1987, nephew Wayne Hillis in 2005, brother-in-law Bill Thomas in 1995, father-in-law Gilbert Thomas in 1964 and mother-in-law Sadie Thomas in 1991. She is survived by her son Murray of Saskatoon and his wife Kathy Disiewich, their children Kaylon Disiewich, Alyssia Disiewich (Austin McGunigal) and their children Kashton and Kendrick; son David of Winnipeg and his wife Denise (Dee) and the boys Joey, Adam and Jordon. Also surviving are sister Florence Cowan's children, Murray of Reston, MB and Marlene of Airdrie, AB, her sister Audrey Maddess' children, Larry of Deloraine, MB, Keith of Shoal Lake, MB and Verna of Winnipeg, MB, her brother Bill and Margaret Murray and their children Garnet of Medicine Hat, AB and Debbie of Calgary, AB, her sister Mildred and Terry Hillis and their son Trevor. Mom and Dad were married July 5, 1958 at the old Central United Church in Brandon, MB. They resided briefly in and around Brandon until Dad convinced her to accompany him on an adventure in the bushes and lakes of Northern Manitoba. So began their life in Island Falls, SK, the hydro dam power plant facility known as Churchill River Power, supplying power to the smelter at Flin Flon, MB. Murray was born December 21, 1960 in Flin Flon and David was born January 30, 1963, also in Flin Flon. In 1967, Mom and Dad moved to Brandon, MB, with Dad taking a job at Simplot Fertilizer, so they could both be closer to their parents. They lived briefly in Brandon before moving north of Brandon to an acreage two miles west of Forrest, MB. They lived there until Dad passed away in June 1986, with Mom moving to Brandon and living independently on Ottawa Avenue until she moved to Fairview Home in 2008. There is a saying that everything in life happens for a reason. One of these happenings was fate delivering Mom and Marilyn McDonnell as neighbours when Mom moved to Ottawa Avenue. This led to a life-long friendship with Mom considering her a daughter and Marilyn calling her Mom. Also remaining a dear and special friend is Beatrice Storm of Brandon, MB. She enjoyed knitting and as a result, there are many legacy afghans, sweaters and mitts, some quietly donated to those less fortunate to keep tiny hands and heads warm during cold Brandon winters. Cherished memories shared with us by her grandsons as we reflect on Mom's life include her "smartie" cookies, chocolate "haystack" macaroons and making pancakes with her great-grandson Kashton. Also, sharing her shortbread cookie recipe with Kathy at Christmas in Saskatoon. While still too young to verbalize, Kendrick always had a huge smile and hug for "Great-Grandma." She truly loved her grand-puppies Frodo and Anamoosh and Winston and Cocoa. As her health would allow, she enjoyed her trips to Winnipeg and Saskatoon for Christmas Eves with family, and summer afternoons on the deck in Saskatoon with a cold glass of iced tea and a dog under each arm. She cherished her grandchildren, Joe, Adam and Jordon Thomas; Kaylon Disiewich, Alyssia Disiewich (Austin McGunigal). Mom also had a special place in her heart for great-grandsons Kashton and Kendrick. We would like to thank the staff at Fairview Home in Brandon for the care and attention they gave Mom in the years she was there. The small things we couldn't do - like make her toast before she went to bed every night. We also need at this time to thank the angels on A3 Palliative Care at the Assiniboine Centre in Brandon. Their compassion in Mom's care and comfort during her last days made a difficult time in our lives and little easier. A graveside service was held at Rosewood Memorial Gardens on Friday, August 14, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. with Funeral Celebrant, Kim Lewarne officiating. Donations in memory of Mom may be made to a local Humane Society.