Norma Sagan

The heart of our family, Norma Sagan, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, February 26, 2025, just days before her 92nd birthday. Much loved wife of the late Henry (“Hank”) Sagan. Predeceased by her parents, Hugh and Emma McMechan; her siblings, Jim, John and Margaret; her brother-in-law, Stan Sagan; and her cherished grandson, Matt (Lindz). Loving mother of Debbie Vanderaa (Marty), Val Duthie (Dwight), Sue Sagan (Tom Norton), and Karen Sagan (Steve Conway). Treasured nanny of Darren Vanderaa (Catherine), Kate McKennirey (Patrick), Grant Duthie (Gabrielle), Cole Duthie (Lexie), Ryan Norton, Emma Conway (Adam Horst), Sarah Conway (Byron Garcia). Adored great-nanny of Jax Vanderaa; Annabelle and Jonathan Vanderaa; Claire, Rose, and Audrey McKennirey; Laine Duthie; Jett Duthie; and, Wesley Horst. Favourite sibling of Wally McMechan. Best friend of sister-in-law, Helga Sagan.

Norma was born in Montreal where, at the tender age of 15 she met our father, Hank, while working at Sun Life Assurance. It was love at first sight. They were married five years later, eventually settling in Ottawa to raise their family of four daughters. They remained deeply in love until Hank’s untimely passing in 1999.

Norma was an expert in the kitchen – her baked goods were the stuff of legend. When she wasn’t talking, she was whistling and she did so often while playing a cut-throat game of bridge or hearts. Norma loved to dance, drink wine, eat chocolate, travel with her daughters, score a bargain at garage sales, and laugh – nothing tickled her more than a good “off-colour” joke, right up to the very end. More than anything, Norma was an amazing mother who generously gave her time, care, and attention to her girls and their families. She loved us all so much.

We wish to thank Dr. McDonald and to the staff at Viva Barrhaven for their kind and loving care of our mom. We love and miss you, mom; but, dad’s been waiting a long time for another dance, cheek to cheek, on Blueberry Hill.

Friends are welcome to join the family in a celebration of Norma’s life on Saturday, May 24, 2025, at the Garden Chapel of Tubman Funeral Homes, 3440 Richmond Road (between Bayshore and Baseline Road) from 2 until 4 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario would be appreciated.

Afterglow by Helen Lowrie Marshall

I’d like the memory of me to be a happy one.

I’d like to leave an afterglow of smiles when life is done.

I’d like to leave an echo whispering softly down the ways,

Of happy times and laughing times and bright and sunny days.

I’d like the tears of those who grieve, to dry before the sun;

Of happy memories that I leave when life is done.