Obituary of Noreen Blake

Noreen Helen Blake (nee Luttrell) died peacefully in her sleep on July 9th. Wife of George Robert (Bob) Blake, mother of Lynne Blake-Dickson (Kirk) and Jim Blake (Myra Stephen), grandmother of Sarah (Jamie Steeves) and David, sister of Beryl Rumgay, sister-in-law of Eleanor Kerr, and aunt of many nieces and nephews. Noreen was born in Fort Frances in Northern Ontario; daughter of Helen and Hugh Luttrell, both children of pioneer families in the Rainy River District. Although Noreen grew up in tough times, her stories of her childhood were full of adventures, summers spent swimming in Rainy Lake, great friendships, picking wild berries and spending time on her uncle's farm. In 1941-42 Noreen trained to be a teacher at the North Bay Normal School. The year book says: "Noreen manages to combine work with pleasure." — a perfect description of her life. Noreen taught in a one room school house in the Rainy River District and then in Fort Frances. She moved to London, Ontario in 1946 and shared an apartment with a number of young women who enjoyed the bustling post war social life. Noreen met her business grad, husband-to-be (Bob) on a blind date. They were married in 1949 and were active members of Metropolitan United Church. In 1959 (with two kids in tow), Noreen and Bob moved to Waterloo where Bob took on the position of treasurer (and then VP Finance) of the Equitable Life Insurance Company. They both became involved in the social life, community service and stewardship of First United Church. Noreen was an active community volunteer supporting the First Step Nursery, providing mentoring for women with breast cancer and running the art rental program for the KW Art Gallery. Noreen and Bob were host parents for many international students at the University of Waterloo who became lifelong friends. They both loved to play bridge, travel and attend elderhostels. Noreen was always creating, taking workshops and learning new skills. In 1986, after Bob retired, they spent their summers at their cottage in Haliburton where Noreen took a variety of courses at the Haliburton School of The Arts. She discovered the art of painting floor cloths and created dozens of beautiful pieces. "I just love playing with colour". Noreen was an avid supporter of the arts in Haliburton and she seldom missed a show or theatrical performance. In 2012 she commissioned a sculpture "A Conspiracy of Ravens" for the Haliburton Sculpture Forest. Most of all Noreen was a connector—she loved talking with people of all ages, she took an interest in people's lives and their dreams, was always available to listen and made great efforts to stay in touch. Even after she had a severe stroke in 2009 she continued to paint and create small works to give to friends and family and find ways to communicate. We would like to thank friends, family and all of the caretakers and medical personnel in Waterloo and Haliburton who have supported Noreen with such wonderful care over the past few years. Friends are invited to visit with the family at the Erb & Good Family Funeral Home, 171 King St. S., Waterloo on Wednesday, July 24, 7:00pm - 9:00 pm. A memorial service to celebrate Noreen's life will be held at First United Church, 16 William St. W., Waterloo at 2:00pm on Thursday, July 25, 2013 with a reception to follow. Donations may be made in lieu of flowers and in memory of Noreen to the Kidsability Foundation or First United Church - Christian Development Programs or a charity of your choice by contacting the funeral home at 519-745-8445 or www.erbgood.com.