Funeral service was held on Tuesday following the sudden passing of Norma McKenzie, a mother, grandmother, nurse, dedicated citizen and a community
leader.

Born in Springfield, Jamaica, Norma left for England in the early 1960s to study nursing at the feet of the Jesuits. At age 27, she arrived in Canada and  worked as a Registered Nurse in the operating room at the Scarborough General Hospital. She often worked three shifts at the hospital to ensure her children never went to bed hungry.

Still, she found time to enjoy the last Stanley Cup-winning glory days of her beloved Toronto Maple Leafs; and the back-to-back champions Toronto Blue Jays, her new sporting love. Norma McKenzie was amazing. She volunteered perpetually, as if to help others was her ticket to paradise. The neighbours knew of her. Youth sought out her advice; she had a kind word for anyone down on their luck.

When her son, Michael Thompson, campaigned for a seat in Toronto City Council, many residents made it clear that she, not him, was the attraction. Norma formalized her community work when she served as president of the Mid-Scarborough Community Association.

An independent woman and avid traveller, her favourite haunts were Paris and Amsterdam. Still, there was no place like Scarborough, home for 56 of her 83 years.

Left to mourn her passing are children, Sandra, Michael, Colin, Mark, and Andrew; 13 grandchildren; 7 Great-Grandchildren; siblings; families and friends.

Funeral Service took place on Tuesday at the Highland Funeral Home, Scarborough Chapel Burial was at Christ the King Catholic Cemetery, in Markham.

Donations: Alzheimer Society of Toronto