June 15, 1922 to October 20, 2020
Norma J. Taylor, known lovingly as “Noni”, passed away at the age of 98 peacefully in her sleep, October 20th, 2020, at home — The Sundial Lakeview Residence, Orillia Ontario. Noni was born and raised in Toronto, attended high school at Vaughn Road Collegiate, went on to graduate from Victoria Collage (U of T, class of 1944) where she received her Teacher’s degree. She began her teaching career in Timmons, Ontario and then Sudbury — where she had many fond memories of dancing Saturday nights and cross-country skiing in the winters. However, Noni spent most of her years teaching English and History and finally becoming the Librarian at Runnymede Collegiate Institute, Toronto. She loved teaching and being around young people of all ages. Noni split her summers between two loves — travel and her cottage at Buck Lake. Her travels took her around the world, but her favourite destination was the Orient, especially Hong Kong — visiting there 9 times. Noni came to Buck Lake as a 6 year old in 1929 with her family. She spent every summer there and as an adult tended a beautiful Ilfracombe garden on the local schoolhouse grounds, ran a library and bingo there, and played many hours of cards with any child who would ask. She talked of Buck Lake to her final days. Noni was the daughter of William and Mable Routliffe of Toronto, sister to Ross (Betty) Routliffe (deceased) and Doreen (John (deceased)) Campbell. She was preceded in death by her husband Albert K. Taylor, whom she was married to for 37 years. She was a loving aunt to Beth (Jim) Smith, Robert Routliffe, John (Heather) Campbell, Catherine (Stephen) Quinlan and Ross (Patty) Campbell. As well as a wonderful great-aunt (and great, great-aunt) to many nieces and nephews — all of whom will miss her dearly and think of her often. Noni was an eternal optimist, always seeing the sunshine in every situation. She was a loving, caring, thoughtful, incredibly generous and clever individual — rarely a frown, always a smile and a giggle. She was a world traveler and curious about people. Noni also had a very clever knack of writing limericks to songs for everyone’s birthday and special occasion. Noni would break out in song on a regular basis and in fact the day before she died she sang “Oh dear, what can the matter be ...”. The family would like to thank all the wonderful loving and supportive staff at the Sundial Lakeview Residence, where Noni lived for her last few years. They made her days happy and fun-filled and where she felt loved and supported. Donations can be given to one of her favourite charities — The Princess Margaret Hospital
Arrangements entrusted to Doolittle Chapel of Carson Funeral Homes, 54 Coldwater St. E., Orillia, (705) 326-3595.