NORMA JOAN SINCLAIR
(née Montgomery)

March 11, 1944 - August 2, 2021

It is with great sorrow that we announce the passing of Norma Joan Sinclair, our beloved wife, mother, and grandmother on August 2, 2021.

 

She is lovingly remembered by her husband Michael; daughter Joan Sinclair; son-in-law Leigh Kippen; granddaughter Julia Kippen; sister Marguerite (Don) Wood; and sisters-in-law, Deborah Sinclair and Sheila Sinclair Toni. She was predeceased by her parents, Irma Preston and Frank Montgomery, as well as beloved in-laws, Tom Sinclair. Carol Preston, John Sinclair, and Judy Sinclair.

 

Norma grew up on Warsaw Avenue and attended St. Ignatius School, St. Mary’s Academy, and Kelvin for her final year of High School in order to take grade 12 Latin, which wasn’t offered at St. Mary’s. At 15, while attending St. Mary’s, she met Michael (a St. Paul’s boy) during a joint drama production. It was a moment of fate, and they were an inseparable team for the next 62 years until Covid restrictions put a stop to Michael’s visits during her recent hospital stay.

 

After attending St. Paul’s College at the University of Manitoba, Norma graduated from the Faculty of Education and taught grade 2 at Queenston School until her health wouldn’t let her teach anymore. She loved children and filled the role of teacher and mentor far beyond her official teaching years (and long after the children grew up).

 

Despite health challenges that would have broken most people, Norma remained in love with life, her family, and her friends. With a vivacious and kind soul, Norma made friends easily and held these friendships deeply in her heart. Whether she met you for 5 minutes or 50 years ago she held a spot in her heart and made a point of remembering everyone’s joys and sorrows with a card, phone call, gift or flowers. She was the life of every tea party, garden gathering or holiday dinner, still directing the action from her chair after she wasn’t able to be hands-on in getting things ready.

 

Norma loved to adventure and to travel, visiting the Caribbean, Hawaii, Banff, Montreal, Chicago, Florida, San Francisco, Florida and beyond in her youth. Later in life, and determined not to let her health put an end to her adventures, she and Michael sailed across the ocean to London on the QE2, flew to Paris to see the Louvre, and later took a dream European River Cruise. Most recently, Norma and Michael spent several winters in Palm Desert, including a memorable six weeks spent there with Joan, Leigh and Julia in 2016.

 

In keeping with current health concerns, a small service and interment at St. Vital Cemetery has already taken place. Norma’s family plans to have a gathering when it is safe to do so. In the meantime, Norma’s family kindly requests that all of her friends and relatives take a few minutes to honour her memory by watching the photo-biography above. Please, also consider sharing your own photos, memories, and stories by making use of the comment section on this page.

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Norma fought every battle with such strength; it is hard to believe she is gone. We can be comforted in the friendships and love she left behind. In Norma’s memory, please keep sending this kindness out into the world. In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to an organization that nourishes children’s imaginations such as "The Children's Heritage Fund" through Winnipeg One School Division or Art City.