Preston, Norma Marjorie (Lee)
Passed away at Lanark Lodge Long Term Care, Perth, Ontario, on Friday, April 14th, 2017, Norma Marjorie Preston (nee Lee), daughter of the late William Melville Lee and Marjorie Lillian (nee Roffey) Lee, and older sister of Nancy Adeline (nee Lee) Potter. Born in Lanark Village on April 28, 1932, she attended Lanark Public School where she excelled in math and science. Some of her fondest childhood memories growing up in the village included ice skating on the Clyde River with classmates and performing in school plays. She attended high school in Perth, returning to her home in the village every weekend. Her father was owner of Lee's Hardware Store, which attracted customers from all over the region and was sadly lost in the Lanark fire in 1959 (along with the family home). After she graduated in 1949 she attended The School of Nursing at Toronto General Hospital, graduating in 1953, and continuing to work there until 1973. She held an interest in automobiles and car racing in the 1950s and 60s which she shared with her first husband, Gerald Robert Helm. She enjoyed travelling whenever possible including trips to England, Spain and the Caribbean. Accompanied by her second husband, Kenneth Holden Preston (1974-2004), they continued to travel, as well as wintering for many years in Gulf Shores, Alabama. Norma's dinner parties were renowned her whole adult life as she was an imaginative and amazing hostess. Norma and Ken lived in King City, Ontario, where they both enjoyed a close group of friends and continued to host large and elaborate dinner parties. They were both enthusiastic and avid golfers, being members of the Nobleton Lakes Golf Club for many years. She was an avid gardener and her pride and joy was her rose garden, which flourished under her expert care, and she also had a life-long love of jazz music, and all cats. Norma and Ken moved to Perth in 2002 where she was returning to her roots - and to family and old friends, especially her sister Nancy, and her late partner Frank Dickie. She leaves behind her nieces and nephews, Randy, Valerie (Greg), Colin (Glynis) and Laura (Adam), as well as grand nieces Catherine, Cindy (Suri), Becky, Victoria and Julia. She will also be missed by Ken's three son's John, Robin and Tony Preston and their families in Alberta. A memorial gathering will be held in the Blair & Son Family Centre on Saturday, May 27th, 2017 from 2:00 to 4:00 P.M. with a sharing of memories at 3:00 P.M. In lieu of flowers, donations to LAWS (Lanark Animal Welfare Society) or the Canadian Diabetes Association would be appreciated.