Nancy was born in The Pas, Manitoba on December 30, 1952. In her early years, her family resided in Moose Lake, Manitoba. She was raised there until the age of 7 when her family moved back to The Pas/Opaskwayak Cree Nation. Nancy had an “average” childhood. She attended school at The Pas Indian Band Day School and Opasquia School. Later, she started working at the Avenue Hotel where she was employed for about 10 years.
In 1990, she moved to Winnipeg where she met her husband, Kevin Norbury. They were married on September 4, 1992. Shortly after they were married, they moved to Calgary. She lived and worked in Calgary until 2001. Nancy quit work to become a full-time caregiver, for four of her grandchildren, Aneshia, Alexis, Jordan, and Arin.
Nancy loved shopping, especially at Wal-Mart, Giant Tiger and Dollarama. She would go there every day, and sometimes not buy anything. With her passing, these big name stores are going to miss Nancy as she was a regular customer.
Nancy became ill with cancer in January 2013. She put up a “good fight” for almost 2 years as she battled this disease. She had surgery but the cancer came back and she had to deal with the stresses of this and of her mortality. Although she was very ill, Nancy planned her own funeral. This shows her strength and courage, which are part of Nancy.
When she became more ill and the doctors told her there was nothing else to be done, Nancy moved back to Winnipeg in April of this year and then to the McGillivary Care Home where she resided since September 28, 2014.
She is survived by her husband, Kevin Norbury; son Clinton Bignell; grandchildren Ally, Aneshia, Alexis, Arin, Jordan, Jason, Isabella, Denzel, and William; stepdaughter Barbara McIntyre; step grandson Matty; sisters Mary Greenleaf, Jane Cook; brother George (Etta) Bignell; brother-in-law Christopher (Tracy) Morris,; nephews Delbert (Mary) Greenleaf, Randy Greenleaf, Michael Bignell, Dwayne (Lovlyn) Bignell, Alfred (Helene) Bignell; nieces Loretta (Guy) Constant, Sonya (Derrick) Allaire, Pamela Cook, Flora (Doug) Comeau, Lydia Greenleaf (Chris Crane), Sabrina (Joe) Anderson; cousins Abraham (Mary Ann) Bignell, Angus (Cynthia) Bignell, Marjorie (Abel) Grey, Elizabeth (Samuel) Grey, Clara (Joseph) Lambert; and all their families.
Nancy was predeceased by her parents, William and Flora A. Bignell; brothers Matthew Bignell, Colin Bignell; brothers-in-law Zacheus Greenleaf, Walter Cook; nephew Walter Cook Jr.; grandson Desmond Bignell; father-in-law Sidney Morris.
Wake Service
Wednesday, October 15, 2014, McGillivary Care Home – 5:00 p.m.
Wednesday, October 15, 2014, Church of Messiah – 7:00 p.m.
Thursday, October 16, 2014 – Church of Messiah
Funeral Service
Church of Messiah, Opaskwayak Cree Nation,
Friday, October 17, 2014 – 1:00 p.m.
Interment
Emmanuel Cemetery
Reception
Martha Constant Parish Hall – Opaskwayak Cree Nation – 3:00 p.m.
Active Pall Bearers
Alfred Bignell, Dwayne Bignell, Brandon Bignell, Daniel Cook, Ronald Bignell, Randy Greenleaf, JP Beauregard
Honourary Pall Bearers
Grandchildren – Ally, Aneshia, Alexis, Arin, Jordan, Jason, Isabella, Denzel, William and Goddaughter Disiree Cook
The Norbury and Bignell families would like to thank all those who have donated toward Nancy’s funeral. Your wonderful support and genuine kindness to help our family through this difficult time is truly appreciated.
To share a memory or send a condolence gift, please visit the Official Obituary of Nancy Norbury hosted by Hemauer Funeral Home and Cremation Services.