Obituary for (Anna) Norine Stirling
It is with heavy hearts that we announce that Norine Stirling passed away peacefully on October 28, 2020 at the age of 95 years. She was born on July 30, 1925 in Clairmont, the fifth of seven children born to Tom and Jennie Sheehan.
Norine enjoyed growing up on the family farm beside Clairmont Lake, attending Clairmont School, where she made lifelong friends. She fondly spoke of going to school on horseback or skating across the lake. Community events, including box socials, and twirling her baton with the majorettes were always a highlight. Norine left the farm to complete training as a bookkeeper/secretary at Alberta Business College in Edmonton. She enjoyed a lively social life when she returned to Grande Prairie where she participated in a number of local drama productions and fashion shows. Following a sense of adventure Norine moved to Louisiana for a brief time and then on to Powell River where she worked for the railway. She returned to Grande Prairie to care for her father and met the love of her life, Archie Stirling. Archie and Norine were married July 27, 1956 and were blessed with two children, Nan, born in 1958 and Margo in 1959. Norine dedicated her time to raising her family, as well as working at Pioneer Lodge as a bookkeeper and Avondale School in the secretarial pool. She was also an avid volunteer and enjoyed her time at the hospital, Odyssey House, the museum, church, and as a Brownie leader. Norine and Archie built a cabin at Sturgeon Lake which they enjoyed for many years. They also enjoyed camping and traveling, which she continued after Archie passed away, travelling with friends to locations near and far. More than anything, Norine loved to be surrounded by family and friends. She enjoyed hosting suppers and card parties. She always had the coffee on, and loved visiting with her many friends.
Norine was predeceased by her husband of 32 years, Archie, her parents, Tom and Jennie Sheehan, one sister Marjory, four brothers, Bernard, Laverne, Everett, and Jack, sister in laws, Evelyn, Vera and Beth. She is survived by her daughters Nan Swanston (Bruce) and Margo Wythe (Jim), Five grandchildren and five great grandchildren, Catherine Bombier (Kelsey) and children Brooklyn and Hadley, Carmen Vallentgoed (Matt) and children Levi and Tucker, Riley Swanston (Brenda), Daniel Wythe, and Kalli Charbonneau (Brandon) and child Ella. She is also survived by her sister Jean Dempsey and nieces and nephews.
Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Bear Creek Funeral Home. Celebration of Life will take place on November 4th at 1:30 PM at St. Paul’s United Church (10206 100 Avenue in Grande Prairie, Alberta), followed by a graveside interment at the Grande Prairie Cemetery. All COVID precautions are being followed including wearing of masks and social distancing. In lieu of flowers memorial donations can be made to the Grande Prairie Regional Hospital Foundation at www.gphospitalfoundation.ca or a charity of one’s choice.
For those who are unable to attend Norine’s Celebration of Life, a livestream of her service will be available on the Bear Creek Funeral Home YouTube Channel on Wednesday November 4th, 2020 beginning at 1:30pm.
Live streaming will be available on the Bear Creek Funeral Home YouTube Page
Care entrusted to Bear Creek Funeral Home 780-830-7742 www.bearcreekfuneral.com
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Anna Norine Stirling 30/07/1925 28/10/2020..
Death notice for the town of: Grande-Prairie, Province: Alberta