NORMA SANGSTER

1949 - 2013

It is with great sadness that we announce our sister, aunt and great aunt, Norma Jean Sangster passed away peacefully in Calgary with her family by her side on Saturday, May 4, 2013 at the age of 63 years, after complications with a lung infection.
Relatives and friends were invited to meet with the family at Knox United Church, 4929 - 50 Avenue, Taber on Friday, May 10, 2013 between 7:00 P.M. and 8:00 P.M.
The Funeral Service was held at Knox United Church, 4929 - 50 Avenue, Taber on Saturday, May 11, 2013 at 10:00 A.M. with Reverend Sandra Riddell officiating. Burial followed at the Taber Memorial Garden.
Norma leaves behind to cherish her memory her brother Bill (Cheryle) Sangster of Lethbridge and his family Brian (Enid) Sangster of Parksville, British Columbia and Cameron Sangster of Lethbridge; sister Lynn Thiessen of Vauxhall and her children Carey and Nevada Thiessen of Vauxhall, Jace (Sandra) Zane of Scandia; brother Ian Sangster (Cindy Venhuis) and his children Kira (Tim) Kinahan and their son Linkin, Brody Sangster (Morgan Tunow) and his son Hunter all of Lethbridge; sister Cathy (Doug) Odland of Vauxhall and their family KaLey Odland (Stephanie Sheridan) of Lethbridge and their son Wyatt, Jesse Odland (Yasmin Dixon) of Vauxhall and Brooke Odland of Vauxhall; sister-in-law Sandy Sangster of Lethbridge; aunt Hazel Hamilton of Lethbridge; uncle Red Sangster of Thompson, Manitoba as well as numerous cousins and her two very special companions Koko and Scottie.
She was predeceased by her parents Bill and Joan Sangster; brother-in-law Jake Thiessen.
Norma was born on August 5, 1949 the third child of Bill and Joan Sangster. She was raised on the family farm at Fincastle, where as a kid she loved to ride horses, help her dad and was an active member in 4-H. Norma graduated from W.R. Myers in 1967 and went on N.A.I.T. to complete a course as a Respiratory Technician. She then went on to the Lethbridge Community College to complete her studies to become a Registered Nurse. Norma later took courses at McMaster University in Hamilton to receive her Nurse Practitioners Certificate. She started her career at the Misericordia Hospital in Edmonton, then worked at St. Michael’s Hospital in Lethbridge as well as Brooks, Magrath and Siksika Health Centers. Norma continued her career in numerous small communities in Northern Ontario, Yukon and the Northwest Territories.
She loved to travel and over the years she travelled to Greece, Italy, Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, Great Britain twice and Hawaii.
In her earlier years she loved to play ball, curl, ski and paint. Camping, fishing and golfing became some of her favorite pastimes that she would do with anyone anytime. Norma did all the baking for the family. She also enjoyed gardening, where she must have inherited the green thumb from when she used to help grandpa garden at the farm.
Her children were her puppies and she loved her nieces and nephews, but her passion was always medicine. Four years ago she was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis and was unable to work. She spent most of her time between her cabin at the Hidden Valley Resort in Cluny and Taber, Vauxhall and Lethbridge. Recently she had mentioned she thought she would start to paint again and about buying a horse for herself. Norma lived her life the way she wanted, she was a free spirit that was loved and will be missed by many.
If friends so desire, memorial tributes in Norma’s name may be made directly to the Alberta Lung Association, Box 4500, Station South, Edmonton, Alberta T6E 6K2.