Obituary of Norma Louise O'Rourke
O'ROURKE: Norma Louise (nee Campbell) -
A resident of Chatham, and formerly of Phelpston, Norma O'Rourke passed away at the Riverview Gardens on Sunday, October 20, 2019 at the age of 91.
Born in Dover Township, Norma was the daughter of the late Colin and M. Louise (Ebear) Campbell.
Beloved wife of 49 years to the late Bernie (1999).
Loving mother of Colleen O'Grady of Lindsay, Kathy Speers (Doug) of Coldwater, Peggy O'Rourke of Chatham, Kevin O'Rourke of Ottawa, Mary Ann O'Rourke of Toronto and Julia Goodfellow (Frank) of Parham.
Loving grandmother of Brendan O'Grady (Lisa), Erin O'Grady (Jim Pilkington), Jacob Kennedy and Franklin Goodfellow.
Great-grandmother to Reagan O'Grady.
Dear sister to Joan Rhodes (Robert) of Chatham.
Predeceased by her siblings, Lloyd Campbell (Jean), Jeane Traxler (Lorne), Gretta Shaw (Lorne), Colleen Parliament (Ralph), Ruth Bunning (Robert) and Patricia Errey (Roy).
Sister-in-law to Cecile O'Rourke (Jerry) and Anne Fabbro (Robert).
Norma was a member of St. Ursula's Roman Catholic Church and a CWL member for 70 years.
She was the co-owner/operator of Phelpston General Store and Post Office for 25 years. Since retirement in 2005, she volunteered for Outreach for Hunger, Riverview Gardens (recipient of 10 year pin), Caring Kitchen and St. Ursula's Mission Group (Baking). She also knit pneumonia vests for overseas and leprosy bandages for wherever there was a need. Norma received an Award of Merit for her involvement in volunteer cemetery restoration work.
Since admission to Riverview Gardens in 2018, she continued to help others in any way she could.
Special thanks to Riverview Gardens for their awesome care and compassion.
Family will receive friends at the McKinlay Funeral Home, 459 St. Clair Street, Chatham on Wednesday, October 23, 2019 from 2:00 - 4:00 pm and 7:00 - 9:00 pm. Parish Prayers will be held Wednesday at 3:00pm , followed by CWL prayers. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Ursula's Roman Catholic Church, 205 Tweedsmuir Ave West, Chatham at 11:00am on Thursday with Fr. Frank Leslie celebrant. Cremation to follow with a private family interment at St. Patrick Cemetery, Phelpston at a later date.
Donations made in memory of Norma to the Outreach for Hunger or a charity of your choice would be appreciated.
Online condolences may be left at www.mckinlayfuneralhome.com
McKinlay Funeral Home, 459 St. Clair Street, Chatham, 519-351-2040
Grief Support
The death of someone we care about can be one of the most difficult experiences in life. These articles are meant to describe different types of grief; their intent is to help you understand your own, or to help you empathize with another person's grief.
LEARN MORE >
Our Locations
McKinlay Funeral Homes is pleased to offer services from locations in Ridgetown, Blenheim, and Chatham. We have a wide range of services available in these communities. Please click on the link below for more information about these facilities.
LEARN MORE >
Send Flowers
Our local florists are committed to offering only the finest floral arrangements, and are backed by their professionalism and prompt service. Allow us to take care of your expression of sympathy by connecting with our local florists through our website.
LEARN MORE >
Let Us Help You
Please feel free to browse our pages to learn more about pre-planning a funeral and grief support, as well as the traditional funeral and cremation services that we have to offer. If you have any questions or concerns please feel free to contact us at anytime, we are available by phone or e-mail, or drop by the office in person. We are always here to help.
Ridgetown: Class 1 Funeral Establishment FE-397
Blenheim: Class 1 Funeral Establishment FE-41
Chatham: Class 1 Funeral Establishment FE-174
Nathan McKinlay is in charge of day-to-day operations in Chatham.
Jeff Mardling is in charge of day-to-day operations in Blenheim & Ridgetown.
Click HERE for the Bereavement Authority of Ontario's Consumer Information Guide.