Tributes have been pouring in for the late Norma Goodger, who died Feb. 6.
Former Algonquin Highlands mayor Carol Moffatt served with Norma on the Stanhope Museum committee, which is “heavyhearted” by the news, she wrote.
Moffatt said Nomra’s roots were in cottaging, her parents having bought on Kushog in 1952.
“Norma always said her heart was here, she just had to work in the city.”
When she retired, she moved to the cottage “and forged a remarkable life in the Haliburton Highlands.” In addition to the Kushog Lake Property Owners Association, Moffatt noted Norma was keenly involved in the Highlands Festival Singers, the Highlands Concert Band, and Minden Pride.
In addition, “she loved ATVing, snowmobiling and tooting around the lake on her pontoon boat.”
Moffatt said she served on a number of municipal projects and committees, including the museum.
“Norma volunteered with Stanhope Museum for… well, forever. She was a dedicated contributor who remembered everything, kept immaculate records and, never one to waste words or time, had no problem chiding us when we wandered off in discussion.
“She was our go-to gal for anything that needed organizing, and was a natural fit as our longtime treasurer, always chasing that last dime to make sure it was in the right place.”
She served as the coordinator of Heritage Day for several years and was famous for “volun-tolding” friends to help out, Moffatt said.
Moffatt added Nomra was instrumental in the growth of the online heritage mapping project, spending hundreds of hours painstakingly adding information to the database.
“Norma was a steady, reliable presence who was smart, funny, and a wee bit saucy. She wasn’t just a committee member, she was family, and we will miss her beyond words.”
The lake association said Norma “loved Kushog Lake and devoted many years to the lake association.” Indeed, she was a founding member, past president and served on the board for its entirety.
“Norma will be missed by friends and family and as a devoted preserver of the health and beauty of Kushog Lake,” the association added. Minden Pride chair Allan Guinan said Norma’s death “is such a profound shock to all of us at Minden Pride. “For many years, Norma has been our number one volunteer and our biggest cheerleader. Norma was passionate about Minden Pride and all that it represents. She firmly believed that by being highly visible around the County we were helping to spread the positive message of acceptance towards the 2SLGBTQIA+ community.
“There was not a farmers market, County fair, open house, Canada Day, Midnight Madness or Santa Claus parade where Norma was not there leading the team and promoting Minden Pride. “Each year during Pride Week festival, Norma was always the first, hours ahead of time, to set up and ensure everything was organized. She has been the strong and smiling matriarch of our group for so long, it is difficult to imagine continuing on without her.”
Glen Carter conducted Norma with the Highlands Concert Band. She played tenor sax. He said she had been with the band for more than 15 years. “Last Friday (Feb. 2), she was there and she was looking good and having a really enjoyable time playing,” he said. “She was an enthusiastic and conscientious member of the band.”
Melissa Stephens and Beth Kipping, on behalf of the Highlands Festival Singers, said Norma joined them in 2008 and had been a faithful member of the tenor section. In addition, just before COVID, she became the group’s treasurer.
“From the time Norma joined she was so friendly and personable and made everyone comfortable around her,” they said.
“Her involvement in the community was amazing. She truly was an outstanding citizen. No matter how busy she was, Norma always had time for you. She would look at you with her infectious smile and tell you everything was taken care of, and you knew it would be.
“Norma worked and played hard, she had a zest for life, a great sense of humour, and lived each day to its fullest. Norma’s dedication to every group and board she belonged to was outstanding.
“We have suffered a great loss with the sudden passing of Norma, but we are honoured to have had her in our lives. She will always remain in our hearts and memories.”
