Nora Gray
D.O.N.
Born February 9, 1921, 2nd daughter to Bertha and Jesse Talbot in Chase, B.C., Dr. Scatchard attending. Nora Gray died at Chase River, Nanaimo on Sunday April 3,2016.
Predeceased by her parents; sister Alice (Lex) Freeman; brother Gordon (Molly) Talbot; husbands J. Morrison and H.K. Gray (1994). Survived by sisters Edith (Ken) MacLeod, Ruth (Ernie) Collier; Children Judi (Jack) Tockston, Susan (Len) Milford, Margaret (Bryan) Ryley John (Sheri) Morrison, Bill Morrison, Ian (Jo) Gray; 10 grandchildren; 4 great grandchildren; many nieces and nephews.
Growing up in Vancouver, attending Kerrisdale Elementary, Point Grey Junior High, and Magee High Schools, Nora was a steady, even tempered person who loved to sing at home and in the choirs at Knox, Hastings and Cliff Ave. United Churches. The Talbots often boarded M.V. Scenic En Route to their family hand-built cottage at Alder Creek, Indian Arm.
They, like many, struggled during the depression years forcing Nora to leave her favourite studies to become a telephone operator at Bayview, Alpine and Mutual Exchanges. In 1943 at St. Mary’s Anglican Nora married John (Jack) McKenzie Morrison and they raised 5 children.
From this upbringing came a determination to encourage her children to appreciate what was available to them, to further education, to learn family and local history, to attend and support your local church.
Widowed in 1965 with 3 young children at home and little in the way of social safety nets, Nora faced life with courage falling back on her skills as an operator for B.C. Tel.
A committed gardener and homemaker she would often graciously welcome family and friends into her home whether that be Vancouver, N. Burnaby, New Westminster, Mayne I. or S. Wellington.
Nora is dearly loved and will be missed. No funeral service as per her request.