Norah Patricia Sheppard

On August 30, 2024, Norah Patricia Sheppard, surrounded by loved ones, peacefully took her last breath. Born in Toronto on January 8, 1928, she had a long and joy-filled life. She was predeceased by Robert Harold Sheppard, the love of her life and husband of sixty-six years. She is survived by her six daughters and their partners - Jan and Stan, Wendy and Tony, Dale and Doug, Colleen and Derek, Robyn and Frank, Dawn and Kevin, and her many adoring grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces and nephews. She is also survived by her sister, Marjorie, brother, Terry, and sister-in-law, Marilyn. She was predeceased by her sister, Beverley.

Norah trained as a nurse at Wellesley Hospital in Toronto. She then worked in obstetrics and for the Victorian Order of Nurses before taking time to raise and care for her large family. While she was the hub of a warm and vibrant household, she still found time to participate in community activities including the Canadian Voice of Women. A lifelong learner and avid reader, Norah returned to university in her late forties and completed a degree in Women's Studies at York University. She volunteered at Jessie’s, the June Callwood Centre for Young Women, as well as Nellie’s Hostel in Toronto. Later she and Bob led and hugely expanded the Cobourg chapter of Amnesty International.

Throughout her life, Norah was a steward of the earth, practising environmentalism in her everyday life. Even in her retirement home, her advocacy and activism on the residents’ council led to sustainable changes including the introduction of a compost and recycling program. She was deeply concerned with social issues and followed politics closely. Norah had a vivid imagination and a highly developed aesthetic sense. She wrote beautifully and also expressed her creativity and love of nature through exquisite flower arrangements.

With a kind, generous heart, and a wonderful sense of humour, she always stopped to make someone’s day better. She was a people person: the first to offer a helping hand, bring laughter into a room, and express deep interest in the lives of others. She shared a special connection and energy with children.

A celebration of Norah’s life will be held at the much-loved family cottage next summer.

The family wishes to extend a heartfelt thank you to Dr. Paula Smith at Kanata North Medical Centre for her outstanding care and to the nurses, doctors, and social worker of the Ottawa General Hospital Orthopaedics Unit. We also deeply appreciated the palliative and spiritual care services.