Anna Frances Norton (Saunders)
November 30, 1929 – August 31, 2022
It is with heavy hearts that we share the passing of our Mom, Anna Norton on August 31, 2022.
Mom was born on November 30, 1929 in Clearwater, Manitoba, firstborn child of Walter and Mary Saunders. Her absence will be felt by her children, Paul (Susan), Mark (Sherry), Tammy Favreau (Andre) and Heather Norton Mahon as well as her grandchildren, Eric, Graeme, Patrick, Ian, Meghan (Josh), Sarah (Kyle) and Liam and her great-grandchildren Sylvia, Luc, Julian, Annie, Sybelle, Wren and Ryker.
Mom was predeceased by her parents, Mary and Walter Saunders, brother Keith, granddaughter Jodi and beloved husband, Edgar.
Mom grew up on the family farm in Southwestern Manitoba. She was married to William Edgar Norton on August 22, 1951 in Clearwater, Manitoba.
Mom and Dad initially lived in Toronto, while Ed completed his studies at the Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College. During that time, Mom worked for GM in downtown Toronto which included a long commute each day.
After Dad’s graduation, they moved to Winnipeg where he began practicing as a Chiropractor. Mom continued to work for GM as a billing clerk. They were drawn to Kenora, a “paradise” they had discovered on their travels between Toronto and Southern Manitoba. An opportunity to buy a practice there resulted in their move to Kenora where they raised their family. They lived a life full of friends and fun, contributing greatly to their community.
Mom and Dad loved being out on the lake, spending time on their houseboat, travelling by boat to Beaudette, Minnesota with friends on the August Long Weekend, taking us down the lake for a picnic on an island on a beautiful day and going fishing. Over time, they added some time in Florida during the winter months, which they enjoyed immensely. They loved to go out dancing, golfing and enjoying themselves with friends there.
After Dad’s untimely passing, Mom demonstrated her resilience and courage by continuing to lead a full life and finding a new place to call home in Florida during the winter months.
No matter where she was, Mom made friends. If you left her sitting on a bench in the Flea Market in Florida or waiting in a line, invariably she would be chatting and laughing with a newfound friend on your return. She trusted in the goodness of others. Once, while shopping with Heather at Costco, they discovered an Adirondack chair on sale and she decided to buy it for her son-in-law’s birthday gift. It was already assembled and therefore would not fit into Heather’s car to bring it home. While Heather was in the store calling around to find a larger vehicle, Mom found a couple with a truck in the parking lot who were willing to drive significantly out of their way to deliver her gift. Her grandchildren had a talk with her about the dangers of getting in a vehicle with someone you do not know!
Mom made friends associated with every activity or club she joined – for example, curling, bowling, Kinettes and volunteering at the hospital tuck shop. She loved to golf and played many rounds both in Florida and in Kenora.
Mom had a lifelong love of playing cards and games, nurtured by time spend playing cards with her grandfather as a child on the farm. This is another place where she found many wonderful friends over the years – playing bridge anywhere she could find a game, Euchre and cribbage at the Legion and at home on a Saturday night.
Most recently, Mom’s greatest pride and joy were her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She treasured her time spent with them, enjoying their antics and hugs and delighting in watching them grow.
While the loss of our Mom is so very hard, we are happy she got her wish to live in her own home to the end of her life, to continue to enjoy life to the fullest and to make a quick exit when the time came to leave us.
“The best measure of a life well-lived has less to do with the number of years we have lived or by our accomplishments, but more to do with how other’s lives were lovingly touched by our presence”
In accordance with Mom’s wishes, friends are invited to join us at the Kenora Golf and Country Club on Saturday, October 1, 2022 between 2 and 4 pm for an informal gathering to celebrate Anna.
In lieu of flowers, consider making a donation in memory of Anna to the Lake of the Woods District Hospital Foundation (lwdhf@lwdh.on.ca (807) 468-9861 ext. 2469) or to a charity of your choice.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.brownfuneralhomekenora.com for the Norton family.