ISABELLA (ELLA) NORTON
It is with deep sadness that the family of Isabella (Ella) Norton annunces her passing at her residence at 550 Osborne St., Fort Frances, Ont., on Wednesday, Nov. 28, 2007.
Ella was born Aug. 15, 1920 in Edinburgh, Scotland. In 1942, she married her husband, Walter Norton Sr., who was stationed in Scotland with the 17th Forestry Corps.
She was very proud of her family’s wartime service. Her husband, Walter, served in Scotland and later in Europe while her brother, Wee James, served in the Royal Air Force and her brother-in-law, Bill Bateson (Peggy), served in the Royal Navy.
She was especially proud of her brother, John, and his wife, Madeleine. He escaped from several German P.O.W. camps and was hidden by Madeleine’s family who were in the French underground.
She received a commendation from the Allied Forces.
Mom came to Canada in 1946 as a war bride, settling in Fort Frances. She and her husband, Walter, and other forward-thinking people started the Fort Frances Community Credit Union (Northern Lights), where she became manager for roughly 25 years, retiring in the mid-1970s.
She was predeceased by her parents, John and Catherine; brothers, John and James; and sister, Peggy. She also was predeceased by nephews, Gordon and Walter Strain; granddaughter, Melanie Norton; and her son, John Alexander in 1996.
Ella is survived by her sons, Walter Jr. and Larry (Sue); and her grandchildren, Ashlee, Karin, Wendy, and John. She also is survived by her sister, June (Jack) Hanlon; and nephews, John and Eddie in Edinburgh, Scotland.
Cremation has taken place at the Rainy River Cremation Services in International Falls, Mn.
A private family service will be held later in the summer, with her ashes to be spread as were her husband’s on Rainy Lake in the summer of 2008.
Should family and friends so desire, in memoriam donations may be made to either Rainycrest Home for the Aged, 550 Osborne St., Fort Frances, Ont., P9A 3T2 or the Kenora-Rainy River Lung Association, Box 67, Kenora, Ont., P9N 3X4, or c/o Green Funeral Home, P.O. Box 427, Fort Frances, Ont., P9A 3M8.
Online condolences may be made c/o www.mem.com
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