March 8, 2024
Dear Chris,
An obituary I wrote for my beloved Norma is in the new issue of Write. Norma was a member of The Writers’ Union of Canada for many decades, as I point out. (Probably most current members were born after Norma had joined.)
I have no idea who may or may not read Write, so here is what I wrote:
Norma West Linder
In memoriam
Norma West Linder was born in Toronto on September 4, 1928, the year before the Great Depression. When the hard times came, her family moved to the tiny village of Mindemoya on Manitoulin Island, where she spent her childhood. Although her adult life would be centred in Toronto and Sarnia, Norma considered Manitoulin to be her spiritual home. She always was an Island Girl at heart, or a “Haw,” as folks from Manitoulin call themselves. Her early memories are captured in her memoir, Morels and Maple Syrup.
During her long life, Norma published seven novels, sixteen poetry collections, countless short stories (collected in No Common Thread), two books for children, a biography of Ontario’s Lieutenant Governor Pauline McGibbon, and a one-act play. Her eighth novel, Michael Newman’s Summer of Seventy-eight, in press at the time of her passing, will be launched at her Celebration of Life. As a writer of fiction, Norma was inspired by the work of Margaret Laurence; her poetry was sparked by the books of Raymond Souster, who became a personal friend. Impressed by his plain-spoken poetic language, she made it her own.
For many years, Norma was best known for her novels, three of which were simultaneously published in Britain, and her short stories, also internationally published. Her prose appeared in magazines like Chatelaine, and her short fiction was frequently anthologized. Also, she had the distinction of having had her third novel, Woman in a Blue Hat, banned in Moncton, and perhaps other areas of New Brunswick. (As she observed, it probably boosted sales!) Nonetheless, critical attention was increasingly drawn to her poetry after Adder’s-tongues: A Choice of Norma West Linder’s Poems, 1969 – 2011 appeared in 2012, and her poetry found a home in Canadian, American, and English journals. She also wrote columns for The Sarnia Observer and Trends. A long-time TWUC member, Norma joined in its formative days when Pierre Berton hosted occasional meetings in his home.
Norma cherished the outdoor areas in and around Sarnia, such as the Mandaumin Woods, the Wawanosh Wetlands, and Highland Glen, and this love of nature, and the fragile beauty of the world around us, is captured in her poetry. In addition to her many books, Norma taught Creative Writing and English as a Second Language at Lambton College for two dozen years, her ESL students were often refugees from wars in Southeastern Asia. Norma was a caring and compassionate teacher; several of her students became friends. She was an avid swimmer, a Scrabble player who very seldom lost, and a killer ping-pong player (which she insisted was “table tennis”). I simply couldn’t defeat her, not even once. Norma West Linder died in Sarnia on August 26, 2023, just nine days before her ninety-fifth birthday. She leaves three children, two grandsons, three great-grandchildren, many published writers whom she mentored over the decades, and a host of devoted readers.
Published in: Write - Volume 51, Number 4, Winter 2024
It was difficult to explain how truly special Norma was in less than 500 words. I did what I could. Strange how Fate operates. Norma died this past August and my grandson — Felix Girard — was born less than six months later. I wish Norma had lived long enough to see him.
Fraternally,
. . . James
James Deahl
March 14, 2024
Dear Chris,
Here is the information of Norma’s Celebration of Life. Despite being called the Sarnia Golf and Curling Club, it is actually in the Village of Point Edward, which is surrounded by Sarnia. It is located at the intersection of Christina Street & Errol Road. There is plenty of parking.
Norma West Linder
a Celebration of Life
Saturday, June 15, 2024
Sarnia Golf & Curling Club
500 Errol Road West
Point Edward, Ontario
N7V 1X7
Norma was a source of joy and love in my life, and in the lives of many others. She is mourned by all who knew her. I attach the last photo of us. It was taken at a Christmas banquet just prior to the arrival of The Plague four years ago. Hard to believe that pretty girl beside me was 91 years old in 2019.
James Deahl
985 Maxwell Street
Suite 112
Sarnia, Ontario
N7S 4G2
Phone: 519 - 704-0139
