Norma Lois Pyke (Hatt)

It is with extreme sadness that we announce the passing of a truly amazing woman, Norma Lois Pyke (Hatt).

Norma passed away at the Colchester East Hants Health Centre on April 13, 2020, just 4 months shy of her 91st Birthday.

Norma was born on August 13, 1929, in a place known years ago as, “Little Hollywood”, Willow Street, Truro. She was the eldest and only daughter of four children born to Marvin Russell Hatt and Clara Mae Hatt (Murray).

In her younger years, Norma worked at Lewis’ Hatt Factory and spent some time in Ontario. Back in Truro she met and married her husband of almost 68 years, Donald Earl Pyke of Valley Station, and they had six children; 4 boys and 2 girls. Donald still resides at the homestead and it feels like home to the many who visit.

Norma became a full time homemaker and never got to spend too much time idle until later years. With 6 kids and Scouts, Cubs, Girl Guides, Brownies, piano lessons, homework, school projects, volunteering and all round house chores. She was amazing with it all.

She was a life time member of the Valley (UCW) United Church Women’s Group, she belonged to the Rebecca Lodge and in later years she joined the (RHGNS) Rug Hookers Guild of Nova Scotia; where she learned to hook rugs and mats and loved to do many projects like doing mats of favorite Maude Lewis pictures, birds and many other pictures. Norma also loved to read, draw, tole paint and travel, she was an outgoing person and quite an artist.

Norma was known to me as mom; she loved to spend time by the Ocean; whether it was visiting relatives in Pleasant Bay, Cape Breton, overlooking the ocean, renting beach front cottages on our summer vacations or camping at our relatives cottage at Seafoam Wharf. In 1986, mom and dad bought a plot of land right on the Bay of Fundy in Five Houses Road, in Portapique area and built a cottage there. Until, the last couple years, most of mom’s summers were spent there with family, friends, kids, grand kids, and great grand kids.

Mom was a lover of all things beautiful, flowers, birds and just spending time in the outdoors watching the humming birds flit around.

Mom lived for her family and was loved by all who met her. She was known by many names, but most of all “GRAM”, she was Gram to so many people, related and not related. The house was always open to family and visitors at any time.

Norma is survived by her husband, Donald E. Pyke, Valley; five children, Darrel Pyke (Susan), Fredericton, NB, Doug Pyke, Valley, Randy Pyke (Angie), Salmon River, David Pyke, Valley, and Sherry Heron (Steve), Valley.

Thirteen grandchildren, Jared Thompson, Tylor Pyke, Christina Pyke, Jadien Pyke, Dougie Pyke, Melinda Pyke, Lenny Pyke, Matthew Pyke, Micheal Custance, Corey Toole, Katie Toole, Alex Toole and TJ Toole.

Also nine great grandchildren, Ivyanna, Avery, Jorja, Jackson, Chase, Hunter, Myla, Tucker and Jensen.

Norma has three surviving brothers; Donnie Hatt (Doreen), Salmon River, Stanley Hatt, London, Ontario and Gary Hatt, Onslow; many nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews.
Norma is predeceased by her daughter, Dianne Elaine Pyke.

The family of Norma Pyke would like to thank the staff of the Palliative Care Unit of the Colchester East Hants Health Centre for their kindness, care and compassion during these especially difficult times in our world.

Cremation has taken place under the direction of Colchester Community Funeral Home, 512 Willow Street, Truro. A private service will be held at a later date.

Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.ColchesterCommunity.com

I have been trying to do justice to my mom in this obituary, but no amount of words could describe the truly beautiful nature and love of this amazing woman. I’m sorry for things I may have forgotten.

Mom will be forever missed for her kindness, generosity and unconditional love.
Love and miss you so much, every minute of every day.

REST IN PEACE MOMMA
August 13, 1929 - April 13, 2020

THE DASH - By: Linda Ellis

I read of a man who stood to speak
At the funeral of a friend.
He referred to the dates on her tombstone
From the beginning …. to the end.

He noted that first came the date of her birth
And spoke the following date with tears
But he said what mattered most of all
Was the dash between those years.

For that dash represents all the time
That she spent alive on earth
And now only those who loved her
Know what that little line is worth.

For it matters not, how much we own
The cars…the house…the cash
What matters is how we live and love
And how we spend our dash.

So think about this long and hard;
Are there things you’d like to change?
For you never know how much time is left
That can still be rearranged.

If we could slow down enough
To consider what’s true and real
And always try to understand
The way other people feel.

And be less quick to anger
And show appreciation more
And love the people in our lives
Like we’ve never loved before.

If we treat each other with respect
And more often wear a smile…
Remembering that this special dash
Might only last a little while.

So when your eulogy’s being read
With your life’s actions to rehash
Would you be proud of the things they say
About how you spent your dash??

(Mom truly took full advantage of her dash.
Filling it with loads of love, laughter, adventure
and especially family.)

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