Obituary of Noreen Grace King
Noreen Grace King (nee Hutchinson)
Passed peacefully at the Nipissing Serenity Hospice in her 96th year with her loving family at her side.
Noreen was born May 17, 1926 in The Pas, Manitoba, eldest daughter of Thorbjorg and Charles Bernard Hutchinson.
Eldest sister to Wilma (Billie) Bondett and brother, Ron Hutchinson.
As a young girl Noreen moved with her parents and siblings to Timmins and later to North Bay.
Noreen taught school in Kiosk in a one room school house for a short time before marrying Campbell (Cam) Clarence King in 1947.
Noreen loved this experience and to this day, it was a source of pride that all her students passed to their next grade.
Noreen and Cam raised three children, Bobby (deceased), (wife Patty), Jim (wife Sue), and Shelley in a loving and joyful family home.
Noreen volunteered at Elks Playground and she and Cam enjoyed many years with their sons at hockey rinks and hockey excursions.
In the seventies, Noreen and Cam relocated to Toronto for 14 years. During that time, Noreen was a supervisor at a research/advertising company. It was owned and operated primarily by women.
Not wanting to stay in “the big city” they returned to North Bay in 1984. Their retirement years were spent enjoying family, friends and neighbors.
Noreen played piano and bridge, and especially loved the craft of needlepoint murals.
Her greatest joy and happiness came from her family.
Noreen was grandmother to Peter, Sam, Robert and Steffanie, and great grandmother to June and Emmah.
Mum was forever the lady, soft spoken and gentle with a quiet elegance. She was sweet, kind and gracious. But she also had a strength, willpower and resilience never shown more than during her last few years. She fought back many health challenges with a steel will and a sense of humor. She always knew the importance of gratitude, and often said, “I have had a wonderful life, and I have no regrets”.
A full life well lived cannot be summed up in a newspaper clipping, but she leaves behind a family who will cherish every memory, every life lesson, and every second spent in her presence.
God Bless you mum on your next journey, and may you rest in peace with Cam and Bobby.
A celebration of life will take place at a later date.
Immense gratitude to Dr. Hailey Moore and Dr. Michael Leckie for their guidance, wisdom, and compassion.
Thank you to all the staff at the Nipissing Serenity Hospice for their support, their loving hands and hearts, and for always treating mom with kindness, dignity and respect.
A special thank you to the relatives, dear friends and neighbors who provided our family with love and support. During some challenging times, your helping hands and visits will never be forgotten.
No flowers or gifts please, but a donation to the Nipissing Serenity Hospice in mom’s honor would be greatly appreciated.
