Obituaries

Norma Lee Meneer (Aitken)

Norma Lee Meneer (Aitken) was born in Winnipeg April 30, 1937, to Frank and Sandra (Larson) Aitken and passed November 4, 2026 at Grace Hospital after a brief illness, at the age of 89 years.

Some of Norma’s most cherished memories throughout her life, were of her childhood on Polson Avenue in Winnipeg’s North End, where she and her family were part of a community of people who became lifelong friends.  Norma wore her badge as a “North End Kid” with great pride.

When Norma was 15, the family moved to Evanson Street in the Wolseley area, and with her outgoing personality she quickly adjusted to her new environment.

Like many people of Norma’s era, her working career started at Eaton’s, then with the Winnipeg Tribune, and finally, several years as a secretary in the lab at Grace Hospital.

Norma married Harry Meneer in 1963 and during the next few years they became the proud parents of three sons, John, David and Paul. Norma and Harry were married 63 years until Harry’s death in 2024.

Falcon Lake was an integral part of Harry and Norma’s life. When he was 24, Harry had purchased a lot and built his first cottage at Falcon. For 53 consecutive years, Norma spent the entire summers at their cottage.  Beginning in 2019, Harry’s declining health prevented them from spending extended periods of time at the Lake.

In 1970 the Meneer family moved to Rosewood Place in Norwood and Norma became an active member of Norwood United Church until its closure in 2005. She was long time member of St. Vital Curling Club starting in the early 1970’s.  She was also a regular golfer at Falcon Lake Golf Course during the summer months. Bridge, however, was her favourite game, winter or summer, and for decades she enjoyed playing several times a week.

In their later years, health conditions affecting both Norma’s parents required family support and for several years she generously dedicated much of her time and energy in ensuring their well-being before her mother’s death in 1987 and her father’s in 1996.

In 2000, Norma and Harry were among the original residents at Vic Wyatt House, a new 55+ complex on St. Anne’s Road.  She enjoyed almost a quarter century at “Vic Wyatt” before it was necessary for her to move to Riverwood Square.  From the very beginning Norma and Harry enjoyed helping to develop and support what has become an amazing community. Two of her brothers, Frank Allan and his wife Shirley, and Doug and his wife Dale were so impressed with the lifestyle Vic Wyatt House offered, that they also became residents.

Norma is survived by her three sons, John (Fran), Dave (Jen) and Paul, and three grandsons, Josh, Daniel and Matthew.  She is also survived by two brothers and one sister, Bob (Connie) of Kenora and Doug (Dale) and Debra (Don) Smyth, all of Winnipeg.