Norma Elizabeth (Sussex) Cheadle

Norma Elizabeth Cheadle (née Sussex) passed away September 24th, 2021, at the age of 93, in her Mississauga retirement home.

Norma was born to Frank and Olive Sussex January 14th, 1928, in Hamilton, Ontario. She is survived by her husband of 73 years, Albert (Al); and her children Brian (Lela), Bruce, and Laurie (Daniel). She was predeceased by her son Brock (Laura) and older brother William (Bill). She is also survived by eight grandchildren: Graeme, Alan (Claudia), Jenny (Neal), Jordan (Emily), Caitlin (Trevor), Colin (Kaitlin), Erin (Jon), and Kara (Ben), as well as four great-grandchildren: Albert, Alexandra, Ellis, and Scotland; and many dear nieces and nephews.

Norma met her husband Al in Westdale, Hamilton when she was fifteen and he was barely seventeen. She was dared by her friends to invite Al to the Sadie Hawkins dance, and made him a corsage out of vegetables. They married on April 24th, 1948 and settled in Etobicoke, where they raised their four children.

Norma was a talented artist, and had an artist’s eye for colour and design. Her early paintings were in pastels and oils; later she moved on to acrylics and watercolours. She was affiliated with the Neilson Park Creative Centre in Etobicoke, where she honed her watercolour technique.

Norma devoted her time to many causes. She and Al volunteered with local mental health and addiction organizations, such as the DARE (Daycare Assessment Rehabilitation and Education) Centre, where Norma taught art classes in the 1990s. She also volunteered at St. James United Church (of which she and Al were charter members) in Etobicoke. In earlier times, she and Al enjoyed taking their family on camping trips, sailing around Toronto Harbour in their sailboat, gardening, building social circles with cherished, lifelong friends, and doting on her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, all of whom Norma was tremendously proud of.

Norma was a devoted wife, mother and homemaker, enjoyed her role of grandmother immensely, and valued her time spent caring for her family and household. She will be deeply missed by all who knew her.

A service will be held on Tuesday, Oct. 5th, 2:00 p.m. at St. James United Church, 400 Burnhamthorpe Rd., Etobicoke. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Institute for Advancement of Mental Health, or Trillium Health Partners Foundation.