Norma Edith Evans

Evans, Norma Edith (nee Gooder): The Peterborough and Omemee gardening communities lost one oftheir most dedicated members on Sunday July 16, 2017, two weeks after celebrating her 90 th birthday. Predeceased by her beloved husband of 62 years, Jack Arthur Evans (May 2, 2013). Loving mother of daughters, Meredith, Laurel (Joseph Collet) and Nancy (Jim Potter). She was very proud of her

grandsons, Daniel and Matthew Perras and Kallaghan Collet. She will be greatly missed by her sister,

Doreen Smythe ( St. Catherines) and many nieces, nephews and cousins. Norma was born and grew up

in the Junction area of Toronto and met Jack at the West End YMCA. Jack and Norma moved to

Peterborough in the 1950’s and spent most of their lives there except for a brief period in Pointe Claire,

Quebec. Norma started as a secretary in Toronto. At Sir Sanford Fleming College she began teaching

typing and shorthand and later trained students in word processing and computer skills. Norma was a

long time member of the United Church and United Church Women. She dedicated many years to the

development of young women through her leadership in Canadian Girls in Training. She was supportive

to her many friends and “adopted” family members. Norma believed in healthy eating and physical

fitness well before it became popular. As an active senior, she often led the “Firm Believers”, a fitness

group at St. Andrew’s United Church. In retirement Norma and Jack travelled the world, often hiking,

camping and paddling. Norma’s true passion was gardening, a love she inherited from her father and

that she passed on to her daughters. She was a long standing member of both the Peterborough and

Omemee Horticultural Societies and a founding member of the Peterborough Master Gardeners.

Norma received numerous awards recognizing her commitment to these associations. She was also a

certified Ontario Horticultural Association judge. Her lush woodland garden was a frequent stop on

garden tours and was featured in Gardens Central magazine in June 2011. Friends will be received at

Comstock-Kaye Life Celebration Centre, 356 Rubidge Street, on Thursday July 20, from 2 to 4 and from 6 to 8 pm. A celebration of her life will be held at 1:00 pm on Friday July 21, 2017 at Emmanuel West United Church (formerly St. Andrew’s United) 441 Rubidge Street. In lieu of flowers, a donation to Emmanuel West United Church or YWCA Peterborough Haliburton (emergency shelter for women and children) would be appreciated by the family. On-line condolences may be made at www.comstockkaye.com .