Norma Jean Burt (Nee Barber)

January 22, 1921 – February 8, 2023

Please join the family for a Celebration of Life in honour of Norma on Friday, May 26th at 3:30 pm at 43232 Cochrane Lake Rd West.  Dress casual, and, if desired, please wear something purple!

Food and refreshments to follow!

Our beautiful and inspirational mom, aunt, Nana and friend passed away peacefully on February 8th, 2023, at the age of 102 years young.

Mom (or Nana as most people called her) was born in Regina and grew up in many small towns in Saskatchewan.  She loved school, played baseball, basketball, and curled.  She grew up in a house full of love and music.  The 20’s and 30’s were hard times and her most special memory was coming home from school to see her house with lights on for the first time.  Something we all take for granted.

Mom went to Normal School and received her teaching certificate in 1941.  It was while teaching at Hillside School that she met the handsome Austin Burt.  They were married on December 31st, 1942.  Dad was in the airforce and they moved to Calgary shortly after.  They built and operated Burt’s Store on the corner of 50th Avenue and Elbow Drive.  After they sold the business, mom had time to pursue her passion of music.  She sang with the Chinook Winds Chapter of Sweet Adelines for 35 years and played the piano even until she was 101.

Mom was interested in the world and loved to travel and have new experiences.  She loved to cruise and enjoyed one with Austin before dad passed away in 1982.  After that, she went on many cruises with good friends and family.  Mom loved a full glass of chardonnay, a hot cup of coffee, and loved the time she spent with family and friends at the cottage at Sylvan Lake.  She would enjoy her hot coffee outside in the morning listening to the sounds of the lake and enjoy her glass of chardonnay watching the beautiful sunsets calling us all to join her!

She was predeceased by her parents Agnes and Robert Barber, brother Cliff Barber, son, Scott, husband, Austin and son-in-law, Gene Vennard, all whom she loved so much.   Also by her mother-in-law and father-in-law, Jim and Isabel Burt, along with many sister-in-laws and brother-in-laws whom were all so special to her.

Left with cherished memories are her three loving children Bonnie Vennard,  Bob (Joanne), and Linda Marcial (Denis).  She will also be missed by her three grandchildren David (Lisa Nail) and Scott (Frida Malm) Marcial and Kevin Burt.  Mom was thrilled to have three great grandchildren Hazel, Leo, and Miles Marcial.  Her eyes lit up when she saw them!  Her sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Wilma and Keith Coffin, will miss her chats. She had many nieces and nephews who were inspired by her positive attitude and love of life.

Mom was an inspiration to all of us with her, generosity, kindness, compassion, gratitude, and courage.  With tears of sorrow and of joy, we will have a celebration of a life well lived on Friday, May 26th (details to follow).

We thank the staff at Bethany Cochrane and the Big Hill Lodge Cochrane for their loving care of our mom.

Cochrane Country Funeral Home – cochrane@piersons.ca

Arrangements entrusted to Emily Champ, Funeral Director To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Norma Jean Burt (Nee Barber), please visit our flower store.