Norma Macleod

A strong independent lady, loving wife and caring mother, our ER nurse has done her last shift in emerg. Norma Jean Ellis (nee MacLeod) passed away peacefully and with dignity in the company of her family on May 12, 2015 at the Montfort Hospital in Ottawa. Born in Melfort, Saskatchewan on September 4, 1927, Norma was the eldest girl in a family of ten, raised in the West during the depression years which imbued her with the spirit of hard work, resourcefulness and independence. Completion of high school in 1945 was followed by a year of teaching in a one-room school house in rural Manitoba to raise funds for her nursing education. It was during this time that she first met the tall lanky veteran, Gerald Ellis, recently returned from overseas who was later to become her husband of 53 years.

Graduating as a Registered Nurse from the Winnipeg General Hospital with the women of the class of 1949/B, Norma commenced a career which initially took her to Toronto and marriage to Dad. As the first nurse in the family, Mum was an exemplary role model for her sister and many nieces who followed her path and entered the medical profession. RCAF postings with Dad, including time in Metz France, were followed by a final move to Ottawa where she created a home, raised and cared for her family with love and patience. With family settled she resumed her nursing career, eventually spending more than 20 years at the Riverside Hospital in the emergency department, where she made a difference to countless patients' lives and forged life-long friendships. Hard work and a good measure of Scottish thrift afforded Mum the means to purchase her beloved cottage on Pike Lake where many happy years were spent with family and friends. Taking up golf with Dad later in life brought great enjoyment but also some measure of frustration, as all golfers can attest! She loved spending the winters in Florida painting, playing golf, bird watching and just being with Dad and family. Daughter of the late Norman MacLeod and Florence MacLeod (Ellis), predeceased by her loving husband Gerald and her brother Gordon. Survived by her two sons Patrick (Sandie) of Ottawa and Jamie (Joanne) of Halifax. Remembered with love by surviving brothers and sisters; Malcolm MacLeod (Hazel), Kathryn Pennell, Marnie Longley (Walter), Dawn Brosi (Horst), Ian MacLeod (Joy) and Terry Parkinson (Ron). An extremely proud grandmother of Gavin (Erin), Meghan (Dylan), Maclean and Patrick and delighted great-grandmother of three little boys, Sevin, Kade and Junah. Heartfelt thanks to the staff at the Queensway Carleton and the Montfort Hospitals who helped Norma and family during her final days. Special consideration to all the kind folks at the Stittsville Villa whose assistance allowed Mum to live in a dignified and independent manner during the past few years. And of course, love to our family members who provided such great support with help particularly during critical initial stages of medical crisis when immediate family was far away. Friends may visit at Beechwood Cemetery, 280 Beechwood Ave, Ottawa on Saturday, September 12, 2015 from 12 p.m. until time of service in the chapel at 2 p.m. followed by a inurnment. Reception to be held at Beechwood Reception Centre. If desired, in memoriam donations may be sent to the Heart and Stroke Foundation or a cause of your choosing.