Obituary of Norma Halliday

Norma Lillian Halliday

February 3, 1928 - August 4, 2025

 

At the Queensway Carleton Hospital, on  Monday August 4, 2025 at the age of 97.  Norma was the beloved wife of the late Ian Halliday.  She was predeceased by her parents, John and Isabelle Mobley, her brother, Jack, and by her son, Mark.

 

Loving mother of John Halliday (Elizabeth) of New Hamburg and Janet Halliday (Robert McNaught) of  Campbellcroft.

 

Cherished grandmother of Patricia Halliday (Sen Shi), Peter Halliday and Ian McNaught (Erika); step-grandmother of Shane and Blair McNaught.

 

Great-grandmother of Bethany, Naomi, Elsa, Emmanuel, Lachlan and Anna.

 

Norma was a true native daughter of Ottawa, living all but one year of her life in the city.  As a child, she loved the outdoors, taking full advantage of all Ottawa had to offer;skating, swimming, skiing and riding her bike through the Experimental Farm. She enjoyed summers at the family cottage at Lake Bernard.

 

After graduating from the High School of Commerce, Norma spent a year studying at Carleton University before completing her teacher’s training at the Ottawa  Normal School in 1949.

 

She met her husband, Ian on a New Year’s Eve blind date. The courtship was conducted by mail as Ian was away attending university, first at the University of Toronto, then in Berkeley, California. They were married at Parkdale United Church on July 7, 1951. Their first year of married life was spent in Toronto, where they welcomed their first child before returning to Ottawa.

 

By 1955, Ian had obtained his PhD and secured employment with the Dominion Observatory.  The couple settled into their house in Ottawa’s west end and the family grew. Norma was to spend the next 70 years in their home.

 

An accomplished cook and gardener, Norma had a passion for reading and love of music. She donated much of her time volunteering for several Ottawa organizations, including the Ottawa Music Festival, the Ottawa Symphony Orchestra and the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario.

 

Family, friends and four-legged companions were always warmly welcomed at Norma’s home.  A bowl of dog treats on the hallway table was constantly replenished. No visitor left without a kiss and send-off from the front porch.

 

The family wishes to extend their appreciation to the Ottawa Paramedic Service and the staff and doctors of the Queensway Carleton Hospital for their compassionate care of Norma during her last few days. Norma’s goal of spending her remaining years in her beloved home would not have been possible without the kindness and support of her many neighbours as well as her extraordinary home-care team whom Norma viewed as family.

 

Cremation has taken place with inurnment at Pinecrest Cemetery.

 

Memorial donations to the Ottawa Humane Society or the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario would be appreciated.