Wilma Fern NORDSTRAND

Wednesday December 7th, 2022 Wilma Fern Nordstrand passed away peacefully at the age of 87 in her residence at Chemainus Health Care, in Chemainus BC.

Wilma was born in Edmonton Alberta to Hubert and Geneva Dolling. As a young child Wilma was nicknamed Billy, as she was born on the same day as her Grandfather, William Dolling.

Wilma is predeceased by her sisters: Leona McGeachey (1991), Shirley Willmon (2019) and Cousin George Webb (2021) who was raised as her brother and this year, her daughter Karen Hovestad (2022). Survived by her daughters Gail van der Leek, Shelley Butcher, Kimberly Au and Christina Nordstrand, and her grandchildren, Chris, Melissa, Angela, Sarah, Jennifer, Heather, James, Miles, Kirk, Lori, Susie, Jess, Andrea, Aida and Kiki. The legacy continues with her 12 great grandchildren: Jaden, Hasani, Dublin, Hudson, Thomas, Graham, Willa, Geordie, Anthony, Zoe, Blaze and Avery.

Wilma went to high school in Nanaimo and was in the first graduating class of Nanaimo District Senior Secondary School in 1953, her grad photo is still there in the hall. In later years, she proudly attended every alumni gathering until the pandemic hit.

 She joined the RCAF and became a meteorology technician, where she met and married Norman Nordstrand in Claresholm, Alberta in 1955 and left the service when they started a family in 1956.

Wilma worked as a civilian clerk typist on many of the military bases that Norm was posted to. This included Winnipeg, Saskatoon, Edmonton, Halifax, Shearwater and Petawawa. But home was always Nanaimo, so when Norm retired in 1978, that was where they went. Wilma graduated Malaspina College, as a Home Support worker. She spent more than 15 years caring for many of Nanaimo’s aged residents.

In 2012 Wilma went to live at the Chemainus Healthcare Centre where she quickly became one of the favourite residents due to her charming, helpful nature and wicked sense of humour. Wilma was socially active making many friends and participating in clubs and activities offered. 

Our family would like to thank all of the care team and staff at Chemainus Healthcare Centre for the love and support they gave to our Mom. She will be greatly missed by her family and all who knew and loved her. A Celebration of Life will be held in honor of Wilma at 1:00pm on June 24, 2023 at Saint Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, at 4235 Departure Bay Road, Nanaimo.

In lieu of flowers please donate to the Canadian Cancer Society

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