1925 – 2017

Norma Lois Cornwell (nee Paine) died peacefully with family at her side in Regina, SK, on Monday, January 16, 2017 at the age of ninety-one. Born on Saturday, July 18, 1925, in Prince Albert, SK, to Ruby and Leslie Paine, Norma was the older sister to her brother, Leslie. She grew up in the city, graduated from high school and went on to the College of Pharmacy at the University of Saskatchewan in Saskatoon where she graduated in 1948. She met her future husband, Frederick Cornwell, while working in a Prince Albert pharmacy. They married on June 2, 1948 and shortly after moved to Shellbrook to start their business, Cornwell’s Drug Store and began a family. First on the scene was George, followed by Leslie, Beverley and then John. Norma and Fred worked very hard and long hours to become established in their business often saying what they were really offering was service to their customers. The two of them gave back to the community by becoming involved with many service groups. Norma belonged to the Order of the Eastern Star, The Royal Purple, the ACW and volunteered her time to be the organist for St. Andrew’s Anglican Church for many years.  She was actively involved in fund raising for the Parkland Hospital and was always willing to provide support to any worthwhile community initiative. Sadly, Fred passed away in 1965 leaving Norma to run the family business and later on was able to expand it. She provided a good life for her young family. There were always gifts and trips and she was very proud that all her children graduated from university. Norma had a beautiful singing voice and could be heard on the radio in the 1940’s singing with a small group of students. Road trips seemed “miles shorter” once she got us all singing along in the car.  She also loved to sing and perform silly skits for entertainment. Travel was another avenue of interest – car, boat, train or plane! From Hawaii to Europe and a lot of Canada in between, Norma took great interest. She enjoyed driving and was always interested in everyone’s new cars.  It all started with a little Austin named Nestiebelle….Entertaining was a breeze for Norma. Crowds of any size all enjoyed her generosity and hospitality. Food (especially when Granny assisted) was both plentiful and delicious followed by board games, cards and bridge or just slide shows of the latest trip. Norma was a dog lover, from her little Scotties, McPherson and Mr. Magoo (affectionately known as Goozy) to Katja, Tara and Marco, the German Shepherds. As time marched on, the house and garden finally became too much to handle and Norma moved to Regina to be closer to family.  She took the challenge of the move, adjusted well to the change and made new friends and enjoyed being able to participate in family get-togethers. Norma is predeceased by her husband, Fred, her parents, Ruby and Leslie, her great-grandson, Gavin Cornwell, and her brother, Leslie. She is survived by her four children, George (Brenda) and their children, Orenda (Jason) and Aiden (Christina), Leslie and her children, Geoff and Rebekah, Beverley (Kevin) and their children, Kenny (Hanna), Robert (Lisa) and Maureen (Mark), John (Janet) and her 12 great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her sister-in-law, Shirley Jo Paine. The funeral will be held at 1 pm at the Shellbrook Anglican Church on Saturday January 21, 2017.  In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you please consider a donation to the Alzheimer’s Society of Saskatchewan Inc., 1405 Faulkner Crescent, Saskatoon, SK, S7L 3R5. Funeral arrangements are entrusted to the care of River Park Funeral Home in Prince Albert, SK, Don Moriarty, Funeral Director.

 

• Date : 2017-01-16