We are deeply saddened to announce the peaceful passing of our Mom, Nannie and Nona, Theresa "Norma" (Chadwick) McChesney, in the early morning hours of Wednesday, September 17. She was surrounded with love, as she was always throughout her life.
Mom was born on March 20, 1936, the eldest of four children to the late Norman and Jessie (McArthur) Chadwick. She grew up on the Trenton Road and attended St. John’s Academy. She went on to a career in office administration and, after marriage, left the corporate world and dedicated herself to caring for others. As a youngster, she tended to and cared for her younger siblings, Ann, Ron and David. She would walk home from school at lunch time to help her mother set bread and then go back to school. Could she bake! Her biscuits, cinnamon rolls, bread, squares and cookies were second to none.
During one of her shifts working at the family store, she met Dad, her true love. They married in 1964 and shared 31 wonderful years together. Because they had so much love to give, they opened their home and hearts to 57 foster children. Each child was welcomed with love and treated like a member of the family. Mom so looked forward to visits from our special girl, Kim Crosby. Mom was so proud of Kim and her accomplishments.
Deeply rooted in her faith, it was not uncommon for someone to ask Mom to say a prayer for them. She would say, "I’ll add you to my list". Sometimes we wondered when she had time to sleep with the number of people on her list. We were convinced that she had a direct line, as a lot of the time her prayers were answered. Her faith brought her great comfort and strength. Losing Dad was one of her greatest tragedies but through her faith and the love of her family, she continued on for 30 years on her own.
Mom leaves behind a family who cherished her; her only daughter and son-in-law, Marie and Jim MacKay; grandson, Justin Holley (Jalessa Denis); granddaughter, Amber Jones (Gary); great-granddaughters, Harlow, Jade and Charley; her brother and sister-in-law, David and Janice Chadwick (J.D., Kurt and families); niece and nephew-in-law, Debbie and Laurie Chambers (Chad & Cory); sister-in-law, Judy Chadwick (Duane, Todd and families); chosen daughter, Kim Crosby and many nieces, nephews and friends.
Mom was predeceased by her parents, Norman & Jessie; her beloved husband, Johnie; sister and best friend, Ann Adamson (Gerald); and her brother, Ron, as well as many sisters and brothers-in-law.
Mom managed to live on her own until May of this year. That would have never been possible without the fantastic care she received from Careforce Homecare, VON and the loving eye of her neighbour and cherished friend, Janis DeCoff. After a medical setback in May, we were delighted that in July she was chosen to take up residence at Ivey’s Terrace in Trenton. She received such loving care from each and every person there and we could not be more grateful.
A special thanks to the doctors and nurses at the Aberdeen Hospital Emergency Department and Palliative Care. We were greatly comforted by their compassion and care to our Mom.
Visitation will be held on Sunday, September 21 at the R.H. Porter Funeral Home, 55 Almont Avenue, New Glasgow from 2:00-4:00 and 7:00-9:00pm. Mass of Christian burial will be held at St. John the Baptist Roman Catholic Church on Monday, September 22 at 11:00am. Burial to follow in Holy Cross Cemetery. Donations in Norma’s memory will be graciously accepted by Diabetes Canada, a disease that has affected many generations of Mom’s family.
Our beautiful Mom, Nannie, Nona, Nannie Norma, sister, aunt and friend, we will miss your warm, gentle personality, genuine kindness and a smile that would light up the darkest room. Our hearts are broken to lose you but we will be forever grateful to have loved you and shared your life with you. See you later xoxo