Norma Catherine Robertson (MacLean) Flewwelling

Norma Flewwelling was born on July 10, 1924, in Lunenburg, Nova Scotia and died peacefully on February 29, 2024 in Dartmouth, a few months shy of her 100th birthday. Norma’s roots can be traced back to the Ship Hector that landed in Nova Scotia from Scotland in 1773. Norma was the eldest daughter of Margaret and Angus MacLean. She had two sisters, Donna Isabel, who passed away in 2023 and Phyllis Josephine, who resides in New Glasgow.

Growing up in Bridgewater, Norma was given the nickname Squeege by lifelong friends she made at school, the United Church, and Girl Guides. Education was important to the MacLean family and Norma graduated with a BSc in Home Economics in 1947. While at Acadia, known for her quick wit and sense of humour, Norma expanded the ever-growing group of friends she kept for life.

Norma moved to Saint John, New Brunswick to take a teaching job where she met Harold Flewwelling and established a strong network of friends. After a brief courtship, Harold and Norma married in 1948 and started what would become a large family: Patricia Margaret (1949), Ian James (1951), Anne MacLean (1953), twins David Harold and Peter Douglas (1955), and Barbara Jean (1959).

After Harold secured a job with the Federal Government in 1963, they moved to Dartmouth. Norma continued her teaching career in earnest as a Home Economist at the junior high, high school, and community college levels. In many ways Norma was a pioneer as few women worked outside the home during this time. Although Harold often travelled for his job, Norma found time to volunteer in the community and pursue professional development through the Home Economics Association while working full time and caring for six children.

When Harold was promoted in 1973 after completing his accounting degree, Norma, Harold, and Barbara moved to Ottawa. Norma shifted her career to a healthcare agency where she was the training manager for home care workers. Norma and Harold enjoyed an active social life, belonged to a curling club, and took several international trips throughout Europe, the Caribbean, and Hawaii. On one occasion, Norma travelled with a group through the Holy Land and the Middle East.

Harold retired in 1983 when his health began to decline, and they moved back to Dartmouth. They enjoyed reconnecting with old friends and attending family gatherings with the large contingent of Flewwellings in Nova Scotia. Harold sadly passed away at age 65 in 1990.

Throughout the 1990s, Norma soldiered on and travelled with friends, played bridge, and was active in the University Women’s Club and the United Church Women’s (UCW) group at Grace United Church. She was a driving force behind the UCW efforts to provide meals to the Feeding Others of Dartmouth (FOOD) program, which is still in operation.

Norma’s health began to deteriorate in the 2000s and slowly she lost her ability to be independent. Since 2014, Norma resided at Bisset Court Nursing Home where she received excellent care, and the Flewwelling family thanks the wonderful staff.

Sadly, Norma was predeceased by her daughter Anne Barnes (John) who passed away in 2022 and is sorely missed by all. Norma is survived by Patricia Kemp (Doug), Ian, David (Kathleen), Peter (Penny), Barbara (Bruce Fox); grandchildren Sarah Kemp, Jesse Kemp (Megan White), Robin Barnes (Erin Woodbury), Heather Shreve (Jon), Tobi Flewwelling (Greg Doody), Tommy Flewwelling (Krystal), Erin Cody (Neil), Allison and Nicole Flewwelling, Drake and Cabot Fox; and great grandchildren Morgan and Ben (Kemp) Fulton, Izabella and Sylvia Barnes, Selina Shreve, sisters Sydney, Paige, and Emily Doody, siblings Astrid and Vida Flewwelling and Jude Martin, and siblings Luke, Alex, and Andi Cody.

If desired, memorial donations to the FOOD program https://margarets-house.ca/donate/ or Grace United Church https://www.gracedartmouth.ca/ would be welcomed.