By Ken Hirter

Remembering Norma Mae Holiday a friend to ALL – 1940-2020

On Sunday June the 07th 2020 my friend, and a friend to many, passed away peacefully in her favorite chair at home.

She was a shining star & a cheerleader to those she encountered throughout the halls & corridors of the Compass Community Health Center formally known as the North Hamilton Community Health Center. It was her home away from home. It was where you would see her smiling face, the wave and that magical twinkle in her eyes that reflected the spirit of Norma. She will be missed by the staff, friends and those she has encountered on this path that we call “LIFE”

I first met Norma 8 years ago when l started attending the “Mindfulness Monday Morning Meditation Group”. Norma was the anchor and co-anchor sharing, conducting and leading the group every other week a duty she shared with her co-anchor and her buddy Donna.

Norma’s groups expanded throughout the Center and was the start of the walkabout throughout the Compass Community Health Center where her presence encompassed the halls.

Her involvement and commitments within other groups at the Center included:

  • Mindfulness Meditation Mondays
  • Take a Breath (TAB) choir group for those living with COPD
  • The Artistic Dreams Academy (TADA)

But her Community involvements & connections also extended past the walls of the Compass Community Health Center and she was also a member of the Welcome Inn Community Center Senior’s Club here in the North End. She continued in her own Community and her own neighborhood of Stoney Creek.

I know where you shine, that shining example of a truly wonderful woman person that we will miss daily. She was one of the best huggers with “come over here & give me a hug” and she loved her Native Drumming Spiritual programs as well.

For those who met Norma she touched their hearts throughout her 80 years here on earth and now beyond. A new shining star up in the Galaxies high up above, the twinkling of her eyes have now become another star now shining above come night fall.

My condolences to her husband Dave & her family as well to her friend Sandy. Her final request was to plant a tree in her memory.

In closing l want to share my cherished fondest memory of Norma Mae Holliday.

The Welcome Inn Community Center’s “SPRING FOLLIES OF 2017” with Norma with her Mop & Pail in tow singing the ending from the Carol Burnett Show….

“I so glad we had this time together to share a laugh or sing a song but before you know it’s the time to say so long…….goodnight everyone, take care.”