Norma Jean Grimm, resident of Grande Prairie, AB, passed away at home on Tuesday, September 7, 2021, due to complications of Covid, at the age of 77 years.

Norma was born in Sexsmith, AB, on January 8, 1944, and grew up in Spirit River, AB, where her parents farmed. Norma found it challenging to stay up in the evening to study, so she went to bed early and would get up at 4 or 5 am, with her dad, to share a bowl of hot oatmeal and then do her homework.

After graduating High School in 1961, Norma moved to Calgary, AB, to attend Mount Royal College, where she studied secretarial office management. Upon graduation, Norma took different jobs in Calgary, Edmonton and San Francisco, working with oil companies. Norma eventually moved to Vancouver, BC, and attended school to become a Registered Psychiatric Nurse. Norma had found her calling! She developed a deep passion for facilitating group therapy and was known for her detailed assessments of her patients. Over the course of her career, Norma mentored many nursing students and new grads in their mental health training.

In December 1969, Norma married Bill Bussey, and in 1974, they welcomed a baby boy into their lives. Norma was always sports orientated and kept Chad busy with hockey, skiing and other competitive sports. She herself also curled, golfed, swam lanes and loved to dance. In 1980, Bill, Norma and Chad moved up to the Peace Country to be close to Norma’s family. Norma worked at the Spirit River Hospital for a few years until Norma and Bill divorced. In 1985, Norma began work on the psychiatric inpatient unit at the QEII Hospital in Grande Prairie. She bought a condo in GP, and continued to work within the psychiatric community until her retirement in October 2018.

After retiring, Norma started travelling. She visited friends in England and her niece Tracy in Ireland. She took two lengthy cruises seeing different continents and making new friends. One special cruising friend, Bill, even made his way to Grande Prairie all the way from Scotland to visit her after their cruise. The ‘cruisers’ were making plans for their next trip together when Covid hit! But they all remained in touch.

Norma endured many hardships in her life with her health, including the amputation of her right leg; the traumatic death of her young grandson and sudden unexpected death of her son at age 39. With her strong faith, the loving support of her many friends, and a wild sense of humor, she did her best to live her life, not her disability.

Norma is survived by her brother Ray (Kathy) Grimm; She will be missed by numerous nieces and nephews: Sandra, Shauna, Darren, Tracy, Lori and Ryan. Her grandchildren were her world; she will be deeply missed by Dadeyn, Madison, Logyn and Gracie-Lyn Bussey. She loved them with all her heart.

Norma was predeceased by son Chad (Tracy) Bussey; parents Edith and Ora Grimm; sister Elnor Hanson; grandson Gage Bussey.

As requested, Norma was cremated and will be laid to rest in Rycroft cemetery. A Celebration of Life will be planned for all to come together and share stories and celebrate the Norma we all knew in early summer, 2022.