Official Obituary of
Lena Carmel Armstrong (nee) Norris)
May 10, 1933 ~ February 13, 2024 (age 90) 90 Years Old
Lena Norris) Obituary
Passed peacefully away at Pleasant View Towers on Tuesday, February 13th, 2024, surrounded by her loving family, our beautiful mom, Lena Carmel Armstrong (nee Norris), just three months short of her 91st birthday.
Predeceased by parents; John and Lena Norris, adopted mother Mary Lundrigan Alyward and Maurice Alyward, her beloved husband of 62 years, Tom Joe, all of her biological and adopted siblings, including her twin sister Mary Norris, precious daughter Lillian (Armstrong) Kennedy and son-in-law Bobby Kennedy.
Lena will be eternally missed by her children: Mary (Donny), Randy (Clare), Gerard (Patricia) and Isabel (Chris), as well as her eight grandchildren: Craig, Shawn, Courtney (Darryl), Michele (Ray), Robin (Rutanya), Tyler (Jhanna), Alexander and Leanna (Evan) and seven great grandchildren: Ava, Isla, Bree, Brayden, Finn, Elsie and Annie, who were blessed to call her their nan.
Lena and her twin sister Mary were born on May 10th, 1933 in Witless Bay weighing just two pounds and one pound, respectively. Lena’s mother, Lena Norris, died in childbirth and while her other siblings were raised by other family in the community, both Lena and Mary were adopted and raised together by their Aunt Mary, and, what a beautiful life she gave them, surrounded by cousins who became part of their lifelong extended family. Lena went on to meet and marry Tom Joe Armstrong, and together, they raised five children. Tragedy struck the family in 1993 when their daughter was suddenly killed leaving behind two beautiful daughters and a young husband. Lena and Tom stepped up to the plate and assisted in raising the two grand daughters, ensuring they were loved and cared for in the way Lena had been shown by her own family. Our parents’ home will always hold many happy memories for the entire family, including countless gatherings for Jiggs dinner on Sundays followed by games of crib and a few naps in between. There was always so much love felt within those walls.
Lena will be forever remembered for her humorous personality and her kind heart. She was an active member of her church, and a social butterfly in the community. She would never turn down a dance, a game of bingo or an opportunity to invite you into her home - anyone and everyone was always welcome into the Armstrong residence - especially for a cup of tea. Caring for animals was part of her true nature and was exhibited by the number of cats, dogs, chickens, and rabbits that could be seen both inside and outside the home, especially in the early years. She never said no to one of the children bringing home a stray animal as there was always room for one more. She felt cats made her house a home, having cared for one into her 80's. On many occasions, she and Tom Joe would spend hours searching all over Witless Bay for her daughter’s pack of Samoyeds (Dogs) when she would be called to rescue them from an escaped yard. Lena thoroughly enjoyed the search and the catch. She was a striking conversationalist and her preferred part of everyday was the mid-day drive around the harbor in Witless Bay, ending up at Felix’s store in the hopes of running into a friend, neighbour or a stranger. As long as a conversation was struck and belly laughs were heard, we knew Lena had satisfied that eagerness to socialize for the day.
In her later years, she loved to spend even more time with her family and talk on the phone to reminisce about the “good old days”. Despite the adversity of Alzheimer’s, she remained herself in many ways, mainly in her contagious kindness and wittiness.
We would like to extend our sincere appreciation to all the people who have cared for Lena throughout this journey.
To the staff at Alderwood Retirement Residence, Glenbrook Lodge and Pleasant View Towers, thank you for providing such compassionate and loving care during Lena’s stay. Your kindness will never be forgotten.
Please note change in visitation and funeral time due to current weather conditions.
Lena will be resting at Ryan’s Funeral Home on Monday, February 19th from 1:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Tuesday, February 20 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Patrick’s Church, Witless Bay. Interment to follow at Holy Cross Cemetery.
As Lena loved the fresh touch and smell of all flowers, the family will graciously accept them, or in honor of her love for animals, donations may be made to the SPCA, St. John’s.
“The truest end of life is to know that life never ends”. William Penn
SERVICES
Predeceased by parents; John and Lena Norris, adopted mother Mary Lundrigan Alyward and Maurice Alyward, her beloved husband of 62 years, Tom Joe, all of her biological and adopted siblings, including her twin sister Mary Norris, precious daughter Lillian (Armstrong) Kennedy and son-in-law Bobby Kennedy.
Lena will be eternally missed by her children: Mary (Donny), Randy (Clare), Gerard (Patricia) and Isabel (Chris), as well as her eight grandchildren: Craig, Shawn, Courtney (Darryl), Michele (Ray), Robin (Rutanya), Tyler (Jhanna), Alexander and Leanna (Evan) and seven great grandchildren: Ava, Isla, Bree, Brayden, Finn, Elsie and Annie, who were blessed to call her their nan.
Lena and her twin sister Mary were born on May 10th, 1933 in Witless Bay weighing just two pounds and one pound, respectively. Lena’s mother, Lena Norris, died in childbirth and while her other siblings were raised by other family in the community, both Lena and Mary were adopted and raised together by their Aunt Mary, and, what a beautiful life she gave them, surrounded by cousins who became part of their lifelong extended family. Lena went on to meet and marry Tom Joe Armstrong, and together, they raised five children. Tragedy struck the family in 1993 when their daughter was suddenly killed leaving behind two beautiful daughters and a young husband. Lena and Tom stepped up to the plate and assisted in raising the two grand daughters, ensuring they were loved and cared for in the way Lena had been shown by her own family. Our parents’ home will always hold many happy memories for the entire family, including countless gatherings for Jiggs dinner on Sundays followed by games of crib and a few naps in between. There was always so much love felt within those walls.
Lena will be forever remembered for her humorous personality and her kind heart. She was an active member of her church, and a social butterfly in the community. She would never turn down a dance, a game of bingo or an opportunity to invite you into her home - anyone and everyone was always welcome into the Armstrong residence - especially for a cup of tea. Caring for animals was part of her true nature and was exhibited by the number of cats, dogs, chickens, and rabbits that could be seen both inside and outside the home, especially in the early years. She never said no to one of the children bringing home a stray animal as there was always room for one more. She felt cats made her house a home, having cared for one into her 80's. On many occasions, she and Tom Joe would spend hours searching all over Witless Bay for her daughter’s pack of Samoyeds (Dogs) when she would be called to rescue them from an escaped yard. Lena thoroughly enjoyed the search and the catch. She was a striking conversationalist and her preferred part of everyday was the mid-day drive around the harbor in Witless Bay, ending up at Felix’s store in the hopes of running into a friend, neighbour or a stranger. As long as a conversation was struck and belly laughs were heard, we knew Lena had satisfied that eagerness to socialize for the day.
In her later years, she loved to spend even more time with her family and talk on the phone to reminisce about the “good old days”. Despite the adversity of Alzheimer’s, she remained herself in many ways, mainly in her contagious kindness and wittiness.
We would like to extend our sincere appreciation to all the people who have cared for Lena throughout this journey.
To the staff at Alderwood Retirement Residence, Glenbrook Lodge and Pleasant View Towers, thank you for providing such compassionate and loving care during Lena’s stay. Your kindness will never be forgotten.
Please note change in visitation and funeral time due to current weather conditions.
Lena will be resting at Ryan’s Funeral Home on Monday, February 19th from 1:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Tuesday, February 20 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Patrick’s Church, Witless Bay. Interment to follow at Holy Cross Cemetery.
As Lena loved the fresh touch and smell of all flowers, the family will graciously accept them, or in honor of her love for animals, donations may be made to the SPCA, St. John’s.
“The truest end of life is to know that life never ends”. William Penn
SERVICES
Visitation
Monday, February 19, 2024
1:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Ryan's Funeral Services
P.O. Box 306
Bay Bulls, NL A0A 1C0
Funeral Service
Tuesday, February 20, 2024
10:00 AM
St. Patrick's RC Church
The Avenue
Witless Bay,
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Services
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