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Norma June Gurney

1930 - 2023

Norma June Gurney obituary, 1930-2023, Thunder Bay, ON

BORN

1930

DIED

2023

FUNERAL HOME

Jenkens Funeral Home - Thunder Bay

226 S SYNDICATE AVE.

Thunder Bay, Ontario

Norma Gurney Obituary

June 5, 1930 – January 26, 2023

Norma June (nee Woodbeck) Gurney, passed away peacefully on Thursday, January 26th, 2023 at Pinewood Court. Norma was 92 years old and characteristically, she remained optimistic throughout her extraordinary life and into her last few days.

In 1951 she married Jack Gurney and together they raised four children. Their Vickers Heights home was filled with laughter and music for over 70 years. Norma, or "Big Norm" as Jack called her, was a skilled piano player. She would sit at the piano surrounded by family and friends and enjoy sing-alongs lasting well into the wee hours of the night.

Norma was a pioneer when it came to women's rights. She was always employed and loved to learn which gave her the opportunity to explore a variety of business-related careers. She then decided to return to school to get her teaching credentials when her children were young. Norma taught in the business program at Westgate High School and while doing so, coached various teams. She loved her students and was well-loved in return. One of her greatest teaching accomplishments was her "Older Adult Program", where she taught many adults shorthand and made lifelong friends with them all.

Friendships were very important to Norma and Jack and they enjoyed a vibrant social life, making lots of great travel memories. Before they would go on vacation, they would have one of their famous "just in case we die on our trip" parties. She had so many good friends and was always eager to make new ones wherever she went. She had a keen interest in other people's lives and made a point of getting to know them.

Norma and Jack formed a life long friendship and business partnership with Joan & Richard Johns. With the purchase of The Welcomship in 1976, they became ambassadors of tourism for Thunder Bay & North Western Ontario. They each brought special skills to Welcomship. As Welcomship's 'Master Marketer', Norma brought bus charters to our city from all over Canada and the USA. Norma assumed leadership positions in The Tour Boat Association of Ontario, The North of Superior Travel Association (Senator 1992), and served as the Canadian Vice President of The Lake Superior Shore Association. After selling the Welcomship in 1995, and retiring from Westgate; she again pursued leadership positions at the 55 Plus Centre (President) and Christmas Cheer (Chair). After Jack passed in 2013, Mom joined her church choir and enjoyed many evenings of song and fellowship.

Norma will be missed by her children; Glenda Law, Jack (Terri), David, Karen Covello (Bill); her grandchildren; Jessica Venasky (Colin), Adrienne Law (Dave Hladky), Carli Gurney (Ardy Barghi), Alexa Harris (Kegan), Danielle Covello, Nicole Covello (Anthony Menei), Connor Covello (Stephanie), Stephanie Covello (Alex Bachynski); her 6 well loved great-grandchildren; in-laws Carolyn and Fred Wilkins; many, many good friends, particularly Ken House with whom she had a special relationship, as well as numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

She was predeceased by her parents, Ada and Max Woodbeck, her husband of 62 years Jack (2013), sister Lois Bromley, brother Earl Woodbeck (Joyce) and nephew Keith Woodbeck and niece Shelley Bodnar as well as numerous members of the Gurney family. Norma was deeply saddened by the early passings of her daughter-in-law Lori (2017) and son-in-law Bob Law (2021).

Her family wishes to express their thanks to the team at Pinewood Court for their compassionate care for Norma. She in turn cared for all the staff who supported her and for their families.

She always spoke about how lucky she was.

A Life Well Lived.

Cremation has taken place and a Celebration of Life will occur at a later date.

On line condolences may be offered at:
www.jenkens-funeral.ca

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Thunder Bay Chronicle Journal on Jan. 31, 2023.

Memories and Condolences
for Norma Gurney

Sponsored by Jenkens Funeral Home - Thunder Bay Arbour Memorial.

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28 Entries

Hélène and Greg Dahl

March 1, 2023

Glenda and family - our sincere condolences on your loss.

Annette Swerdlyk

February 13, 2023

Sorry for the loss of Mrs Gurney she was my high school teacher many years ago and she was awesome always smiling and she was just a great person condolences to the whole family may she Rest In Peace

Nancy Perozzo

February 7, 2023

I would like to send my condolences on the loss of Norma. I did not know her well, but I did spend several hours interviewing her and Jack a few years ago for the Voices of the Grain Trade oral history project. They were delightful and full of stories that we have been lucky enough to preserve. I thought you might like to listen to their interviews, just to hear their voices again. We have posted them on our website friendsofgrainelevators.org. The interviews are in the Voices section of the website. The Gurneys were very special people.

Leslie Kempton

February 6, 2023

My sincere condolences to the Gurney family. I remember fondly, Mrs. Gurney as a teacher at Westgate. I also remember the whole family as my parents were friends with them. She will be greatly missed by all those who's lives she touched. Thoughts and prayers are with the whole family.
Leslie Kempton

Cuyler Cotton

February 6, 2023

To everyone in the magic circle that Norma and Jack created around that Victor Street piano - my thoughts and heart are with you all through these difficult days.
While painful, the deep loss of Norma's passing finds comfort in the profound gratitude for the love and joy that she, Jack and the whole family brought into our lives. As a lucky beneficiary of that love and (often madcap) joy, I find myself smiling through the tears.
Thank you, Norma and forever love to you all.
Cuyler

Ric

February 6, 2023

We are at a loss for words from the passing of Auntie Norma.She was one great lady.Thinking of all of you,Glenda,Jack,David and Karen. Mary-Ellen,Ric, Marnie and Scott

Barbara

February 5, 2023

Please accept my heartfelt condolences in the loss of your mother. Norma and I went to high school at the same time. Even then she was always dashing from one project to another. Always smiling and never missed a chance to catch up on how things were with you. My thoughts are with you at this time.

Carol Lalonde

February 4, 2023

Dear Gurney Family;

My sincere Condolences to you All on the passing of your Mom. Norma and I grew up together and over the years always kept in touch from long distance.
Carol (Mathias) Lalonde
White Rock, BC

Andrew & Cindy House & Family

February 4, 2023

We are thinking of all the members of the Gurney family in the loss of Norma. She was an accomplished, kind and generous person. We always enjoyed her sense of humour and the stories she shared.
With love and sincere condolences,
Andrew, Cindy, Jessica & Michael House

gloria wray ( GRAHAM )

February 3, 2023

Although I didn't know Norma as well as I knew Jack who often pushed me out of the snowbanks in the winter, I remembered her as a kind, caring woman, always there to offer help; had a lovely soul--Norma lived a long life, will be missed by all who knew her. RIP--sympathy to her family-- Gloria Wray-Peterborough, ON

Lorrie McKevitt

February 1, 2023

Terri, Jack, Glenda and family,
Thinking of you all. Hoping you find moments of peace and comfort in your grief.
With deepest sympathy
Lorrie McKevitt
Toronto

Debra Bodner

February 1, 2023

Sending a warming hug to Glenda, Jacky, David and Karen. She was an amazing woman.

Tara Tyson

February 1, 2023

Sincere condolences on the passing of your mom/grandmother. She was a lovely lady, always and will surely be missed by family and friends.

Colleen Stadey

February 1, 2023

Glenda and families ~ it is with a very heavy heart I send my most heartfelt of wishes and sympathy in the loss of your Mother. I admired her since the day we met in High School, where she could always be found extending kindness, words of positive wisdom and direction. We continually tripped over each other through the years, and enjoyed each other's company every time. She will always be remembered with reverence and the blessing of having known her.

David Maki - Edmonton

February 1, 2023

My sincere condolences to Norma´s family and friends. It was always a pleasure to take a tour on the Welcomship when I lived in Thunder Bay "back in the day", and chat with Jack, Jack Jr and Norma.

Annalicia Kaban and mom Donna Kaban

February 1, 2023

Sending big hugs, love and condolences to the family. Norma and Jack were a big part of our lives from our first encounter on my 6th birthday on the Welcome ship after I got my ears pierced. Then again when we made many voyages on personal boats throughout the years. Norma encouraged my inner sparkle / my fire for women's rights and the rights of all people that I carry on today with my work for the Rainbow Collective of Thunder Bay. She will always be with me.

Susan Smith

February 1, 2023

What a wonderful lady! She was one of my favourite teachers at Westgate CVI teaching me typing to some of the old songs like "Brandy". She´d always recognize me around the city. I went to high school with her son Jack.My condolences to her family.

MARTHA J

February 1, 2023

DEAR GURNEY FAMILY:
PLEASE ACCEPT MY SINCERE SYMPATHY ON THE PASSING OF YOUR MOTHER AND GRANDMOTHER, NORMA.

MANY YEARS AGO I HAD MRS. GURNEY AT WESTGATE C.V.I. AS MY TEACHER. SHE TAUGHT ME PITMAN SHORTHAND AND I BELIEVE I HAD HER FOR TYPING ALSO.

MRS GURNEY WAS ALWAYS SMILING. I CANNOT REMEMBER A TIME WHEN SHE WAS EVER ANGRY...SHE ALWAYS CARRIED HERSELF LIKE A LADY AND HAD A GREAT SENSE OF STYLE.

LATER, I WAS ABLE TO ENJOY THE WELCOME SHIP TOURS TO OLD FORT WILLIAM THAT MR AND MRS GURNEY RAN.
THAT WAS ONE THING WE DID WHEN WE HAD OUT OF TOWN VISITORS. IT IS ONE OF MY FOND MEMORIES OF THUNDER BAY.

PLEASE TAKE CARE OF YOURSELFS AND EACH OTHER.

SINCERELY,

MARTHA JOHNSON

Lisa Ellacott

January 31, 2023

So sorry for your loss Jack and Terri Think of you all at this very sad time

Laurie

January 31, 2023

This beautiful soul and teacher very much changed my life.. I have always been and will always be grateful for the love she showed me..at a time I needed it.
God bless you Mrs Gurney. Rest in Peace

Bommes-dudzinski Marlis

January 31, 2023

So sorry to the family for the loss of a very energetic loving and caring person loved by all who crossed her path. Hugs and love from Richard and Marlis Dudzinski and our families. Matthew , Kyle and Lindsay . Blessings to all

Susan Raynak

January 31, 2023

Condolences to the whole family. Especially to Glenda and Jessica. Lovely,sweet, kind, supportive; gifts filtered down through the generations.

Shelly Rae Suddaby

January 31, 2023

By far, Mrs. Gurney had the biggest impact on my life. As a teenager, going through teenage things, during shorthand or typing class, she always had words of wisdom that I held and do hold near and dear to my heart. Deepest condolences to one beautiful angel that blessed us on this earth.

Ed Styffe

January 31, 2023

My sincere condolences.

Mary Soave

January 31, 2023

My heartfelt condolences to Glenda, Jack, Dave and Karen. Norma and Jack both created treasured memories in my younger years. Their home was always so welcoming to Glenda´s friends. Norma touched many and will be missed and remembered fondly. RIP Norma.

Steve and Karen Clearwater

January 31, 2023

We are saddened to hear of Norma's passing, she and Jack were quite the team. We have fond memories of them both especially from the Partie Sound Christmas parties.

Richard Eras

January 31, 2023

I was so saddened to read about the passing of Big Norm. She was such a special, unique, talented, caring lady who always showed interest in everyone she met and made them feel special and welcome. She, just as Jack, was truly one of a kind and will be missed by me and so meany others too. My condolences to Glenda, Jack, Dave, Karen and all the Gurney clan on the loss of such a precious mother, grandmother and great grandma. I can just imagine how happy she is now re-united with Jack (and keeping him in line) while singing up a storm together as they did so often. I feel truly privileged to have known them and will always have fond memories of all the great times/music we´ve shared together. She indeed had a life well lived! RIP Norma. Richard and Jeannette Eras

Jean Hamilton

January 31, 2023

Terri and family. My thoughts and deepest condolences go out to you and your husband your family and all the Gurney family on the recent loss of your Mom, mother-in-law, grandmother. May all the wonderful memories you have all made with her bring lots of comfort at this sad time.
Take care
Jean

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