Norabelle "Noni" Frances (Parkin) McClure

It is with profound sadness we, Noni’s family, announce that on November 3, 2023, Noni passed away peacefully in her sleep, at home, in Courtenay, B.C.

A direct descendant of Comox Valley Pioneer couple, William and Eliza Parkin, Noni was born Easter Sunday, April 12, 1936, at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Comox, B.C. She was the first born of four to Victor and Hellen Parkin.

Noni spent her early years on the family farm in the Headquarters area of Merville, B.C. She attended Headquarters’ one room schoolhouse and often helped care for her younger siblings while keeping up with her chores.

Noni married very young and by 1956 she had given birth to four children: Brandon Richard (Rick), Leslie Donna Anne (Les), Terry-Lynn (Terry), and Susan Elizabeth (Suzie).

Soon becoming a single mom, Noni worked long hours at two jobs to secure a mortgage in her own name. Something that was almost unheard of for a woman in those days. Thus, she was able to provide security and a home for her small children. She worked at the Waikiki Chinese Restaurant in Comox and the Courtenay Bakery on 5th St. She later went on to work for Safeway in the bakery department for many years.

In 1966 Noni connected with Red McClure whose family was friends with her family. The two of them fell in love and in 1967 Noni became a stay-at-home mom with her last child, daughter Jodie.

Noni and Red enjoyed 57 years together (53 married). Most of which was spent at “the farm” on the Comox Logging Road where they raised cattle, gardened, and hosted many family get togethers over the years.

When her youngest was a teenager Noni yearned for something to occupy her time and she took a job at the now defunct Copp’s Shoe Store (which later became part of the Maher Shoe-store chain) on the corner of 5th and Duncan, where she always served her customers with a smile! She worked her way up from part time salesclerk to store manager, and she continued to work there until the Maher chain closed its doors.

Within a couple of years her youngest was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease and Noni along with another Crohn’s mom started the first Comox Valley’s Chapter of the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of Canada. Through this chapter they raised awareness and offered monthly support meetings with guest speakers. Noni spent countless hours on the phone with parents of other crohnies offering support, as well as with doctors, nurses, dieticians, pharmacy reps and more. Anyone who she thought could help the cause. The chapter raised tens of thousands of dollars for research through first the “Rope a Cure” raffle for a beautiful palomino horse, then later through an annual fashion show hosted at The Filberg Center in Courtenay. Noni also had a small hand in creating “gutsy” the official logo of the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of Canada.

For many years, Noni was a proud member of the Canadian Daughters. Where she participated in many fundraising events over the years for various local causes, and she enjoyed the companionship of her sisters in arms, all of whom are far too numerous to list.

In 2017 Noni was diagnosed by her GP with Lewy Body Dementia (LBD). Later that year her diagnosis was confirmed by a local geriatric doctor who referred her to Dr. Dean Foti at UBC.

February 2018, Noni, and Jodie travelled to Vancouver for her first appointment at UBC where she was given double confirmation of her diagnosis. Later that day Noni also met with a genetic counsellor who was very interested in her case due to the fact she was the second sibling in her family to receive such a diagnosis.

Scouring an extensive family history, the genetic counsellor realized that with the exception of one generation where the lady died young, there were seven generations pointing to severe cognitive issues at death, formerly referred to as senility. At that point Noni was asked if she would be interested in being part of the research to find a cure for LBD. Without hesitation Noni’s answer was a resounding “Yes!.” That day she signed papers for the study and gave blood that was cryogenically frozen for future generational testing. Noni also made arrangements to donate her brain to UBC, and it is because of this noble deed her family is asking, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to LBD research at UBC. The donation link is provided below.

Over her remaining years Noni only had three trips to the ER with one resulting in hospitalization due to Covid, but otherwise was able to stay in the comfort of her family home until the end, just as she desired.

Noni held onto her sense of humour through it all and while she often thought Jodie was her mom and she called Red “that guy,” it amazed us all that she never once forgot her grandson Myles who shares her sense of humour, and her comedic timing.

There are millions of memories and details we could share about Noni and her life, like how much she enjoyed a soft serve ice cream cone while sitting watching the ocean after every doctor’s appointment or how much she loved shopping, shoes, Chinese food, and Elvis. Or about that one time she tried to give up peanut butter and managed 6 whole weeks without it but then couldn’t handle it anymore. She picked some up but couldn’t wait to get home, so she pulled over on the side of the road and dug her hand into the jar. She said it was the best peanut butter she ever had! lol Or, how she drove in the powder puff race at Saratoga all those years ago. But most of all, we feel it’s important to recognize how much Noni gave of herself in service to others. Her dedication to her family and her chosen causes have left us all with a high standard to strive for. She truly did make her dash count and she is greatly missed.

Noni leaves to mourn, her husband Mervin (Red) McClure, daughter Jodie McClure, and grandson Myles McClure. Son Rick Williams; grandson Brandon Williams (Shaana Hutchins) and great-grandsons Mannix and Izaac, of Birmingham, England. Daughter Leslie Williams; grand-daughters Robyn Edge (Ed Lam) of Burnaby, B.C., Brishona Giesbrecht (Dan); Shelena Yeoman (Dan Bellrose), great-grandchildren Hazel and Leroy. Daughter Terry Langhorn (Don), great-grandchildren Rachael, Andy, and Josh; grand-daughter Nicole Jones, great-grandchildren Aaron (Laura), Gillian, and Carter. Daughter Sue Ryan-Churchill (Dave) of Fort St. John, B.C., grand-daughter Kelsey Fleming (Brian) of Fort St. John, B.C., great-grandson Nathan; grandson Jared Ryan (Angie), of Abbotsford, B.C., great-grandchildren Mia and Benjamin of Abbotsford. Her sister Marilyn Paisley and numerous nieces and nephews.

Noni was predeceased by her parents Victor and Helen Parkin, sister Donna Robertson, nephew Gary Robertson; brother George Parkin, baby niece Cheryl Parkin, and beloved grandson Mike Langhorn. Her in-laws, Joe, and Mable McClure; brother and sister-in-law Doug and Glenda McClure, nephews Greg and Ken McClure; brother-in-law Don (Bowse) Benny and niece Dawn Marie Bennie.

Noni’s family wishes to extend their heartfelt gratitude to Dr. Kevin Swanson and staff, Dr Foti and staff, all mom’s home care workers and nurses, especially her “best friend” Arlene and her son-in-law Don, and Krista and Stuart at Toneff. Your loving care towards mom and the support you provided for us will never be forgotten.

By Noni’s request there will be no service. Donations for UBC’s LBD research can be made securely at https://www.centreforbrainhealth.ca/ways-to-give/#funds

Rest In Peace, Mom ❤️

April 12,1936 - November 3, 2023

The Dash

I read of a man who stood to speak

At the funeral of a friend

He referred to the dates on the tombstone

From the beginning...to the end

He noted that first came the date of 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 they spent alive on earth.

And now only those who loved them

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 just 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 this special dash

Might only last a little while

So, when your eulogy is being read

With your life's actions to rehash...

Would you be proud of the things they say

About how you spent YOUR dash?

By: Linda Ellis