MARTIN: NOREEN THERESE
January 10, 1950 – September 15, 2021
Peacefully at Matthews House Hospice, Alliston, on September 15 2021, loved partner of Robert Lange, cherished mother of Shannon Cunningham (deceased 2017) and grandmother to Patrick Matthews. Youngest daughter of the late William and Helen Martin, formerly of Loretto. Noreen will be forever missed by her brother Bill Martin (Margareat deceased), sisters Eileen Mudget (John deceased), Kathleen Mertens (Peter) and Helen Hanrahan (John). Fondly remembered by Bob’s children, Steven Lange (Lisa), Krista Brash (Evan) and Steven’s five children. Also remembered by Bob’s sisters, Martha Dormer (Charles) and the late Barbara White (Wally). Noreen was also a much-loved aunt to her many nieces and nephews.
For over 30 years, Noreen was a dedicated teacher at St. James School, Colgan, Father F.X. O’Reily and St. Thomas Aquinas CHS in Tottenham. She loved her work and loved her students.
We wish to thank all the friends and neighbours who visited, sent cards, brought meals, baking, flowers, and generally expressed a great outpouring of love. No words can adequately relay our deep appreciation to friends: Ginny Cathcart, Maureen Di Giovanni, Anna Marie Heitzner, Wendy Dellhide, and Noreen Wilson for walking side by side with Noreen throughout this difficult journey, providing strength and encouragement. Also, many thanks to the health care team from Matthews House, St. Elizabeth Nurse Barbara Kowalmski, and Dr. Richard Nishikawa for their support and compassionate care.
We also express our appreciation to the support workers from the ALS Society, Central LHIN Agency, Sunnybrook Hospital, and Dr. Aaron Izenberg. Special thanks to Father Eric Mah of St. James Parish, Colgan.
In lieu of flowers, donations to Matthews House Hospice, Alliston or the ALS Society of Canada would be appreciated.
A Celebration of Life to be announced in Spring 2022, (please check www.RodAbramsFuneralHome.com as details become available).
Service
A Celebration of Life to be announced in Spring 2022, please check www.RodAbramsFuneralHome.com as details become available.
Pattie Campbell says
Dear Bob and Members of Noreen’s Family:
Sending you love and prayers in memory of this beautiful lady. Noreen was a wonderful neighbour, colleague and dear friend. Her kind, gentle spirit touched the lives of so many. I was blessed to have her in my life and will remember her with fondness and deepest respect. She is an angel watching over us.
God Bless!
Pattie
Melanie d'Amboise Dailey says
I have just learned of Noreen’s passing. It’s been many, many, years since I worked for Noreen at the Bulk store in Alliston, but I’ve never forgotten her kind and gentle ways, and always looked back on that experience with nothing but fondness. I was so touched to read that Noreen Wilson was still a close friend and supporter! Love and support to all of Noreen’s loved ones.
Angus.St.Croix says
My sincerest condolences to Billy, Eileen, Kathleen,Helen & Noreen’s extended family. Noreen was my very first friend. We lived on the farm close to the Martins. Noreen & I were in the same class throughout elementary school. We had such fun building forts and forming childhood clubs. Many great memories!
Rest In Peace Noreen
Anne Mabee nee(Horan)
Marie Macdonald says
A special lovely lady who will be missed by many. God bless.
Mary Neabel (Pickett) says
My condolences to the Martin Families on the passing of Noreen – she will now be reunited with her daughter Shannon.
Tracey Hudson says
So sorry to hear about your passing. You are such a great lady. I remember you being my teacher in grade 1 at St. James. I also enjoyed talking with you when I would run into you as an adult. Thoughts and prayers are with you.
Harry & Rona Rempel says
What a huge loss to family, friends and community. Noreen was such a wonderful woman. When Harry and I purchased the Bulk Food Store from her all those many years ago, she was an invaluable source of information and guidance. We had a lot of laughs while “packaging”. She had a beautiful smile and a genuine love of children that has been expressed here in the memories. Rest easy my friend, you are now welcomed and wrapped in the arms of your mum and cherished daughter Shannon.
Sue Brinen says
My condolences to Bob and family,,,Our neighbours for 18 years, it’s hard to put into words. Noreen was a good ,sweet ,caring soul . I will miss our conversations and trading recipes, and her homemade soups she use to bring over to me and baked goods…it’s hard to believe I won’t see her in the back yard and talking over the fence anymore or in the front yard coming to greet me arriving home from work… It happened all to fast ALS is a terrible disease, I am heartbroken that it happened to her…miss you Noreen, ❤️
Marion Shaw says
My sincere condolences to Bob and the Lange/Martin families. Noreen was such a wonderful lady and a gentle soul.
I had the pleasure of working with Noreen for many years at St. Thomas Aquinas Secondary school, when she headed the Special Needs Dept. She was truly a blessing to work with. Noreen always made time to listen to your stories and share advice. She took great care when dealing with the needs of the kids and would find ways solve any issue that arose.
Noreen will truly be missed.
God Bless,
Marion Shaw
Charles & Martha Dormor & Beverley Berard says
Charles & I are glad we came to see you when you were at
Matthews House. I will miss you as you were just like a sister to me. You are always in my prayers. I think of the good times we had together. Martha & Charles
Jacqueline McBride says
I am so sorry to hear of Noreen’s passing. She was a lovely lady- beautiful inside and out. Noreen was an incredibly gifted educator. She had such a positive impact on the lives of her colleagues, students and their families alike. She will be missed.
Shirley and Nolin Morrow says
We are very sorry to hear of Noreen’s passing. She fought a great battle with her ALS
We will remember her beautiful smile. She was a wonderful person and a great teacher.
She leaves us with so many great memories. You will always be in our thoughts and prayers.
Barb and David Bricknell says
Please accept our deepest condolences. I had Ms Martin as my teacher in grade 6 at St James. I remember her skipping double Dutch with us at recess. She definitely left wonderful memories with me.
Marg Barton says
Our sincere condolences to all the families.
RIP no more suffering god bless her.
Marg(O’Leary) & Brent Barton
Chris and Janet Bergin says
Our thoughts and prayers to Noreen’s family and friends. She was a lovely lady and will be missed by so many.
Your sweet Shannon will be waiting for you with open arms.
Theresa A. Birmingham says
Noreen’s kind soul and spirit touched so many within the St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic School community.
Marylou and Ed Osborne says
Our deepest condolences to Bob and the extended Martin and Lange families. Noreen was a special soul. She touched so many lives and taught so many special needs children (ours included) with such compassion and empathy. She always saw and sought out the positive in any situation. Our world is mourning her loss, but she and Shannon are rejoicing in their new Life. May she forever Rest In Peace
Mary-Lou and Ed Osborne
Martina Keogh says
Please accept my sincere condolences on the loss of a beloved partner, mother, aunt and grandmother. Teaching with Noreen was a pleasure, as she was highly respected by both her fellow teachers and students! Her infectious smile and good nature was a trademark of her dedication to her vocation.
Rest In Peace, Noreen, with your daughter Shannon.
Wendy Dellhide says
Our deepest sympathies, Bob, on your loss. Noreen will be forever missed.
Love David and Wendy
Lee & Tim Doyle says
It is with great sadness that we learned of Noreen’s passing. Tim went to elementary & high school with Noreen. I met Noreen in high school & had the privilege of working with her at St. Thomas Aquinas for many years. Whenever we would meet either in the halls of STA or on the street in Alliston during the Potato Festival, we would have such great conversations. Rest in peace Noreen, you touched so many lives with your kindness and love. Now you are re-united with your sweet daughter, Shannon, whom I had the pleasure of teaching.
Nancy (Sirr) Watson says
Dear Helen, Kathleen, Eileen, Billy, we were so sorry to learn of your loved sister Noreen’s passing.
I have many happy childhood memories of Noreen, it was so good to grow up across the road with someone my own age. We spent long summer days playing at our creek, in winter we carved out ‘houses’ from snowdrifts, in spring floated stick ‘boats’ down the ditches, searched out fuzzy caterpillars to put in Noreen’s dollhouse. Simple fun, such good times with a good friend.
Sincere sympathy to you and all your family from myself, my husband Bill, and my mother Jean Sirr.
Suzanne sSpragge says
Robert & Family sending loving thoughts and prayers in memory of your much loved Noreen. Suzanne & Wayne Spragge
Bert Chase/Lillian Tingley says
Dear Robert,
Lillian and I extend to you and your families our deepest and most sincere condolences. Prayers and fond memories are what we have to remember our dearly departed.
Remembering Noreen’s wonderful and gentle soul will forever remain in our hearts. May she rest in peace!
Bert Chase/Lillian Tingley
Dennis Bailey says
My condolences to Steve and his family during this very hard time.
Laurie Gilbank says
Aunt Noni, as we liked to call her, was a wonderful Aunt she was someone who we all looked up to and very much enjoyed spending time with. I have so many childhood memories with things that we did together! My adult years I am proud to have called her my friend. Noreen was exceptionally kind and her strength as a person was immeasurable. She was an amazing listener, never in judgment and an example I will alway try to emulate, our conversations I will miss greatly! She was taken too soon, but I know she is now with Shannon. Greatly missed, never forgotten! ❤️
Dawn Westcott says
Dear Martin and Lange families,
The news of Noreen’s passing was a real shock to me when I read it on the 26th of Sept. I had heard about her diagnosis , but did not know it had progressed that quickly. I taught for many years at St. James, Colgan with her. She was such a friendly person who you might not have seen each other for years, but could pick up right away where you left off. May her friends and both families remember her with fondness and carry her many memories in their hearts. I will really miss her little chats on the streets of Alliston.