Browse the obituary of residing in the province of Nova Scotia for funeral details
OSTER, Norma Ann (February 28, 1949 – March 30, 2023)
It is with heavy hearts and great sadness that we announce the passing of Norma Ann Oster (74) of Hebbville on March 30, 2023 at the Halifax Infirmary after a brief battle with endocarditis complicated by mitral valve stenosis and heart failure.
Born on February 28, 1949, Norma was the oldest child of Norman (Onnie) and Ellen “Greta” Brown (Nee Finney) of Sydney Mines, Cape Breton. Norma completed her nurses training at the Victoria General Hospital in Halifax. She later moved to Northern Alberta to work, and it was there she met her husband John Patrick Oster an RCMP officer working in the same community. They married on September 1, 1973 at Carman United Church in Sydney Mines and were just 5 months shy of celebrating their 50th Wedding Anniversary at the time of her passing.
John and Norma had three children Sarah Joanne, Rebecca Lynn and Patrick John while working in a variety of postings in the Northwest Territories before returning to Nova Scotia in 1979. Norma worked in public health nursing while raising her family in Kingston, NS. After moving to Bridgewater, Norma discovered her true passion working as a teacher’s assistant. She had a gift for creating educational materials and a calling to help students with learning disabilities reach their full potential.
Norma enjoyed reading, especially stories that spoke of community and relationships. She has passed her love of reading on to her children and grandchildren and books were frequent gifts. While she always lamented that she had a ‘tin ear’ when it came to singing, she loved music and was always creating playlists for all circumstances and occasions.
Collecting recipes became a favorite past-time and numerous forests were sacrificed to print the recipes she wanted to try “someday”. Ironically, even though Norma hated cooking dinner ‘every single night’, she loved to plan and prepare meals to share with family and friends for special occasions. Tourtiere tarts and mini cheesecakes were Christmas staples as were the pressed shortbreads that she made with Megan every year.
An avid crafter, Norma engaged in many creative activities. Her children wore hand-knitted Lopi sweaters and every grandchild, biological or honorary, was gifted with a crochet blanket. She made dresses for her daughters and their dolls as they were growing up. Norma was a talented tole-painter and her projects “came to life”. Most recently, Norma took up stamping and card-making. Like everything else she did, she threw herself into it whole-heartedly and the dining room became card-making central. Creativity appears to be genetic as all of her grandchildren enjoyed doing arts and crafts with her.
Norma was the glue that held her family together. She was always ready with a listening ear, supportive word or ‘kick in the pants’ depending on what the circumstances required. She was quick to remind them “that’s not the way we behave” when someone stepped out of line but God help anyone who wronged one of hers because she was as ferocious as a mama bear with the memory of an elephant.
Her eight grand-children were the center of her world and they were never far from her thoughts even if some lived farther away than others. Nanny attended dance and sporting events for all of her grandkids, sometimes in person and often by watching videos. She never tired of bragging of their accomplishments and letting them know that she loved them and was proud of them. Norma had a talent for making small occasions memorable and many of the traditions she began with her family are carried on in her children’s families.
Norma never forgot a birthday, anniversary, important occasion, or milestone. Her calendar never had large enough blocks to keep track of all the important dates that were meaningful to her because they were significant to her family or friends. Norma would design a beautiful and unique card for every occasion and the recipients knew they were made with love.
Norma had a gift for building friendships and relationships that endured through time and across great distances. Her home was always open and welcoming. Norma had a huge heart; her warmth and sense of humor drew people to her and her work ethic and willingness to lend a hand earned their respect and admiration.
Her passing has created a void in our lives that can never be filled. Right now, that wound is wide with ragged edges. With time, the wound will heal but it will leave a scar but that scar will be a testament to Norma’s life. The deep scar will be proof that we have loved and been loved which is all we can hope for in life.
Norma was predeceased by her parents Norman & Greta Brown and sister Margaret “Peggy” Dunlap. She is survived by loving husband John Oster. Her 3 children: Sarah VanderWal, of Bridgewater, Becky & Sanjay Patra of East Grand Rapids, Michigan and Patrick & Danielle Oster of Bedford. Her 8 grandchildren (ranging in age from 20 to 5 years old): Megan, Ryan & Michael VanderWal, Priya, Ayana & Neela Patra and Anna & Nora Oster. Sisters Beverley and Vera-Lynn and brothers Billy, Bobby and Paul. Norma was also very close with her in-laws spread across Canada.
Cremation has taken place under the direction of Dana L. Sweeny Funeral Home. A Celebration of Life service will be held in St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 25 Phoenix St., Bridewater, on Saturday, June 24, 2023 at 2:00 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to QEII Health Sciences Centre Foundation, or Health Services Foundation of the South Shore in thanks to the staff who provided exceptional care during mom’s last days.
Thursday March 30th 2023
Death notice for the town of: Lunenburg, Province: Nova Scotia
death notice Norma Ann Oster Thursday March 30th 2023
obituaries notice Norma Ann Oster Thursday March 30th 2023
We offer our deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Norma Ann Oster Thursday March 30th 2023 and hope that their memory may be a source of comfort during this difficult time. Your thoughts and kind words are greatly appreciated.
