Nora Jean Canter

Nora Jean Canter, 78 of Portage died peacefully Saturday, May 9, 2020 at Borgess Medical Center due to medical complications including COVID-19. Nora Jean was born November 6, 1941 in Letart, West Virginia the daughter of George Canter and Francis Keller. She was raised in Letart, West Virginia by her Aunt Orpha "Ike" James. She moved to Milwaukee, Wisconsin with her Aunt Lucille Canter and graduated High School there. Once graduated, she moved to Kalamazoo, Michigan to live with her mother and step-father Arthur Aldridge. Nora was employed for 18 years as a cashier at Meijer Thrifty Acres in Grand Rapids. Previously, she was employed as a waitress at the former Gull Harbor Inn, Anchor Inn and Bayview Gardens in the Gull Lake area. Nora was formerly married to Jerry Bloomquist and Bob Davis. Surviving are her daughter, Melissa (Chuck) Bininger of Richland; two grandchildren, Tyler (Adrienne) Young, Kristan (Maxwell) Fortney; three great-grandchildren, Mason Fortney, Olivia Fortney, and Laine Young; two sisters, Victoria (David) Clapp of Schoolcraft and Sandra (Mike) Matyas of Kalamazoo. Nieces; Karen Clapp, Karna (David) Meyer, Sally Matyas and Betsie Chimney. Nora also had two nephews; Steven Aldridge (Melanie) and Steve (Julie) Matyas; Great nieces and nephews; JD, Jack, Ben, Kennedy and Kate. Nora was preceded in death by her parents and a brother, Steven Aldridge. Nora always had an open heart for animals, kids and anyone in need .She adored Missy's Frenchie Beau and niece Karen's dog Gracie. She was an excellent cook and loved cooking for family and friends. Her favorite pastimes were doing for others, playing cards with her sisters and brother in-laws, playing Bingo, watching her grandchildren's soccer games and having fun. Nora's grandchildren have fond memories of her listening to Rod Stewart, her love for the smell of Vanilla on her and in her car, coming to their soccer games and taking them to soccer camp and the Meijer Gardens Butterfly exhibit. She even took a family trip with them to attend a soccer tournament in Colorado. Due to the COVID-19 virus, a gathering for family and friends will be held later when it is safe for to be together and celebrate Nora Jean's life. Memorial contributions in memory of Nora Jean may be made to SPCA of Southwest Michigan https://spcaswmich.networkforgood.com/ .Arrangements made by Farley Estes Dowdle Funeral Home & Cremation Care, Richland Chapel. Personal messages for the family may be placed here at www.farleyestesdowdle.com.