| GOLDTHORPE – Norman passed away in the Coronation Health Care Complex on March 8, 2005 at the age of 69 years. Norman Goldthorpe was born in Consort, Alberta on October 18, 1935, the oldest of five children born to Harold and Juanita Goldthorpe. He grew up on the family farm just four miles from Veteran, and took his early years of schooling at Leeds School – a tiny, one – room country school that left him with a host of memories of the stunts that he and his classmates pulled during those years, many of them on the teacher. Those were fun and easy times for a boy, during an era when life was tough for everyone. The family, however, lived in a close-knit neighborhood, where joys and sorrows and hard times were shared by all. From there he moved on to bigger and better things, like continuing his education in “town school.” Once out of school, Norman held a variety of jobs, as his abilities were many and varied. He spent time working in Whitehorse, Yukon, in the 50’s, drove cab in the City of Calgary, worked oil rigs, worked for Special Areas 4 building roads and maintaining heavy equipment and spent 11 years as Town Foreman for the Village of Veteran, before having to retire at the age of 54 because of illness, when the effects of multiple sclerosis began to ravage his body. Norman married Carolyn Plante in 1965, but that ended in divorce a few years later. He re-married to Linda Hangs and they remained in Veteran for many years. In April of 2002, he suffered a serious and lengthy bout of illness and hospitalization that left him unable to return home and he moved into Long Term Care at Coronation in September of that year. It was there that he lived out his remaining years, retaining his quick wit and droll sense of humor, but trapped in a body that had become totally useless over the years as a result of the disease. Norman died quietly and peacefully on Tuesday evening, March 8, 2005, in his room in Long Term Care, after a 2-week stretch of literally fighting for life with every breath. He was predeceased by his parents, father in 1964 and his mother in 1993 and his sister in law Ina in 2002. He now leaves behind his children, daughters Loretta (Chris) Wilkins, Tammy Goldthorpe (Blaine), and son Darrel Goldthorpe (Amanda), all of Camrose; five grandchildren; and his wife Linda Goldthorpe. Also mourning the loss of their oldest brother are his siblings, Neal (Joann) of Lumby, B.C., Betty (Del) Salter of Abbotsford, B.C., Edwin of Veteran and Linda (Terry) Schetzsle also of Veteran as well as a number of nieces and nephews and numerous old friends. As his family, we are thankful for his life, and his contribution of enrichment to ours, but we are also thankful that he is no longer wracked with unrelenting pain and is now resting in comfort and peace. Funeral services were held on Saturday, March 12, 2005 at 2:00 p.m. in the Veteran United Church with Rev. Stephen Shantz officiating. Terry Schetzsle presented the eulogy in Norman’s memory. A recorded tribute by Norman’s sister Betty Salter was played. Organist Linda Schetzsle and pianist Linda Osetsky played for the congregational hymns “I Was There To Hear Your Borning Cry,” “Give To Us Laughter,” and “Amazing Grace.” Special recorded music “Happy Trails” was played as recessional music. The interment followed in the Veteran Cemetery. Tom Nelson was the bearer of the urn. Honorary pallbearers were “All of Norman’s Many Friends.” Following the interment family and friends gathered together for a time of sharing and lunch in the Veteran Community Hall served by the Veteran United Church Women. Should friends desire memorial contributions may be made in Norman’s memory to the Multiple Sclerosis Society, 4322 – 52 Ave. Red Deer, Ab. T4N 4J9. Parkview Funeral Chapels, “Families Serving Families” were entrusted with the care and funeral arrangements. For further information please call 578-3777. |