Norma Rae Parsons (Clarke) was born in Birch Hills, Saskatchewan in 1916. When Norma was 12 years old, her parents decided to leave Saskatchewan, as it was the “Dirty Thirties” and things were a little tough for the family. In 1929, they took a train to the end of the rail, which was in Hythe, Alberta. Here she attended Happy Valley School. After a few years, they packed up and moved West by horse and wagon with a cow tied on behind. They arrived in Montney, B.C where her father bought some land and settled a homestead.
Norma played many musical instruments including the accordion, banjo, mandolin, ukulele, and violin. When Norma’s children were grown, she went to work cooking in camps. She enjoyed this well into her 70’s. She loved her gold panning and bannock baking competitions. She held the title for “Fastest Gold Time” for a number of years. Norma loved travelling and meeting new people. She made many trips over the years up the Alaska Highway.
When she wore out her beloved “WEE MAC” truck and camper, she bought a motor-home and told us we would know when she was close to home when we saw the whites of her eyes.
In 1992 Norma participated in the 50th anniversary celebration of the building of the Alaska highway. She was a part of a group of fellow pioneers consisting of wagons, horses, and mules from Dawson Creek to Fairbanks, Alaska. She brought up the rear of the train, wearing a hat stating “I must catch up for I am their leader”.
Norma enjoyed her woodworking crafts, parchment card making, long walks, and visiting with her yard full of rabbits.
Norma is predeceased by her parents Catherine and Charles Cook, her four brothers Melville, Lawson, Kenny, and Buddy, her daughter Bethel, and son Russell, better known as Bucky.
Norma leaves to mourn, her children; Mavis Rathgeber (Clarence), Donna Lee (Don),
Marlene Smook (Metro), Michael Jennings (Rose), Dallas Schindler (Eric), Margo McMahon (Pat), Cecil Jennings (Gail), Bob Thompson, and Bonnie O’Donnell (Jim). She also leaves one sister Lois McBeth, and three sister in-laws; Hope, Verna, and Shirley Clarke. She will be missed by many grandchildren, great grandchildren, great-great grandchildren, nieces, and nephews.
Norma passed away on Saturday, March 30, 2013 in Hythe, Alberta. A funeral service was held on Friday, April 5, 2013 at the Dawson Creek Alliance Church, British Columbia. Interment followed at the Riverview Cemetery in Pouce Coupe, British Columbia. Expressions of sympathy may be made by way of donation to the Canadian Diabetes Association Dawson Creek Chapter P.O. Box 2361 Dawson Creek, British Columbia V1G 4T9.
Arrangements were entrusted to
Bergeron Funeral Services & Crematorium Ltd.