Obituary of Norma Belle Collier

COLLIER, Norma Belle Age 84, of Ardoise, Hants Co., passed away peacefully on Tuesday, December 27, 2016, in The Magnolia Continuing Care, Enfield. Born on August 11, 1932 in South Rawdon, she was a daughter of the late Watson and Belle (Weldon) McLearn. Norma was a loving homemaker, enjoyed bowling and was widely known and celebrated for her wonderful quilts. She is survived by daughter, Phyllis (John); son, David (Pam); grandchildren, Michelle, Evan, Jacquelyn, Heidi and Grace; great-grandchildren, Arthur, Brooke, Kayden, Ethan, Isabelle, Dannie and Liam; brother, Robert (Sally); sisters, Edna, Bernice and Doris. Besides her parents, Norma was predeceased by husband, Neil; son, Richard in infancy; granddaughter, Shelley; brothers, Clyde and Lester. Arrangements have been entrusted to DeMont Family Funeral Home & Cremation Service, 419 Albert St., PO Box 981, Windsor, NS B0N 2T0 (902-798-8317). A funeral service will be held 2 p.m. Monday, January 2 in South Rawdon United Baptist Church, Rev. Alex Mosher officiating. Interment will be held in the church cemetery and a reception will follow in the church hall. Donations in memory of Norma may be made to a charity of one's choice. Messages of condolence may be sent to the family by visiting: www.demontfamilyfuneralhome.ca "Our mother was no stranger to hard work. Her father died when she was five, leaving her mother to raise seven children alone. They all did their share, farming and working in the sugar bush. She fished, trapped, and hunted with her brother Clyde and was a crack shot. She went to work at 16, in Ellershouse at Manley's where she cared for 36 babies; then to the Payzant Memorial Hospital as a CNA and, later, as office staff. Mum played ball in a league and loved to swim in the Avon River when she lived in Windsor. On June 22, 1956 she married Neil Collier, and moved to Ardoise where they farmed side-by-side for 52 years. She truly enjoyed working in the fields, her vegetable garden, and skating or coasting in winter. She was generous with her time and talents, and ready with a meal for whoever arrived at the farm at any time, or for any reason. She was very involved in the community of Newport Corner for over 40 years, where she quilted with the Ladies Aide every Wednesday morning for upkeep of the church, and where she and Dad hosted Tuesday night card parties for upkeep of the hall. She was a kind and gentle person, quick to laugh, never angry, and a mother to many. She raised her own children, then three grandchildren together with David, and was a significant influence on all the kids who lived next door. She taught them how to knit, sew, and bake, and helped them show Jersey and beef calves in 4H. She loved entertaining, inviting family and friends to a corn boil on her birthday and Auction 45's every Saturday night, as well as evenings through the week. She also enjoyed cake decorating, photography and bowling, but her passion was quilt making. Mum had a competitive spirit and enjoyed exhibiting baking, pickles and preserves, and her quilts at the Hants County Exhibition and Atlantic Winter Fair. Everyone was always interested to see her latest handwork and many wanted to buy a quilt. She never forgot that she made 133 quilts, and told visitors and guests alike at The Magnolia. While there she knitted dishcloths when she wasn't bowling or playing bingo, and she taught at least three children from the local elementary school how to knit during their regularly scheduled visits. We wish to thank the Magnolia staff for their love and care for our mother, who quickly became like family."