On June 5th 2010 Norah Frances Nelson ( Poole ) passed away peacefully with her family close by, at Hillside Village in Salmon Arm. Norah was born on Jan 23, 1912 in Salmon Arm to Disney and Mable Poole. She spent her first nine years in Salmon Arm and then moved to Scotch Creek in 1921 when her father became captain of the Scotch Creek -Sorrento Ferry.
In 1942 Norah married Wilfrid Nelson in Kamloops while he was on leave from the army. After the war they continued to live in Scotch Creek and started their family. They moved to Balfour in 1954 where Wilfrid worked as an Engineer on the Kootenay Lake Ferry. Norah and Wilfred retired in Balfour then moved to Nelson shortly before Wilfrid’s death in 1980. Staying in Nelson another 21 years Norah moved to Penticton in 2001 and then finally to Salmon arm in 2007 to be closer to her family.
Being very involved in the Girl Guides of Canada, Norah organized Guide camps at Blind Bay in the 1930s-40s and started Guides, Brownies, and Rangers in Balfour in the 1950s-60s. She held many positions including Area Camp Advisor and District Commissioner of The Kootenays She continued to be involved in Guiding and was a member of the Trefoil Guild until the age of 95 when she felt it was time to finally “retire” from Guiding. Norah was so passionate she attended a Girl Guide reunion a few months before her passing.
Under her mother’s tutelage a young Norah became a very talented seamstress and knitter, skills that she carried into her last decade. She was an avid reader who loved to play cards and parlour games with family and friends. An animal lover and life long pet owner she gave as graciously to animal charities as she did to many other charities. She was a no nonsense person who was as generous with her wit, wisdom, advise and humour as she was with her donations.
Norah leaves behind her loving family, daughter Lisa Schwartzenhauer (Don) of Blind Bay and son Eric Nelson (John) of Victoria B.C and grandchildren Ryan and Heather Schwartzenhauer. Surviving also are numerous nieces and nephews. Norah was predeceased by her husband Wilfrid, grandson Neil Schwartzenhauer, brothers Jack Poole and Disney “Doc” Poole and sister Betty Wheeler.
The family thanks the special staff of Hillside Village that went out of their way to show kindness and great care of Norah Nelson during the last of her journey. A memorial service will be held for Norah Frances Nelson on July 24, 2010 at St. Mary’s Church at Sorrento at 2:00 PM
Arrangements entrusted to FISCHER’S FUNERAL SERVICES & CREMATORIUM LTD., Salmon Arm, (250) 833-1129, Email condolences and share memories at www.fischersfuneralservices.com.