Norma Tabien Ubana

 UBANA, NORMA TABIEN (1928 – 2019) Passed away peacefully at Nipissing Manor, in Corbeil, on Tuesday, January 15, 2019, at the age of 90 years.

Norma was born in Lopez Quezon, Philippines. Predeceased by her father Isaisah, her mother Concepcion, as well as brothers Cesar, Augusto, and Venusiano, Norma is survived by her sister Myrna Robinson of Chicago, her sister Leonor and brothers Hermino and Salvador of the Philippines. She leaves behind many nieces and nephews in Calgary, Chicago, and in the Philippines.

Norma grew up in a family of teachers. Both her parents and several other family members were educators. Norma became an elementary school teacher prior to becoming a Registered Nurse. She attended the University of the Philippines and her sister Myrna followed in her footsteps.

Norma worked as a Nurse with the Red Cross and travelled throughout the many provinces and islands of the Philippines.

She emigrated to the U.S.A in 1960 and settled in Chicago where she worked at the Michael Reese Hospital for a number of years. Myrna joined her in Chicago in 1963.

While in Chicago, Norma would regularly hop whatever bus, or train, to take her to see the Chicago Cubs play baseball. Her love of the sport began during the Second World War in the Philippines and years later she would become a staunch Toronto Blue Jays fan. Norma was also an avid moviegoer. Often after a summer nightshift, she and a couple of friends would have breakfast and then go to the movies where they could also enjoy the air-conditioning in the theatre. She eventually moved to Kirkland Lake where she practiced Nursing before she moved to North Bay. She worked in ICU and on 3West at St. Joseph’s Hospital for many years before she retired. Norma loved to read poetry. She was curious about what was going on in the world around her. She always had the North Bay Nugget and the most current editions of National Geographic and Time Magazine on the ottoman. She was a world traveler. She circled the globe three times in her travels taking thousands of pictures that always included where the photo was taken, when it was taken, and who was in the photograph.

Norma had a great love of the outdoors. Year after year, in the spring, when she lived at Wanner Towers, her apartment balcony would be transformed into a colorful potted flower garden. She even earned an award from the North Bay Horticultural Society. And year after year, in the summer, Norma would rent a cottage on Sunset Cove where family and friends were always welcome.

Norma loved music, especially the classics. Her favorite musical was South Pacific. She was also very adventurous. From whitewater rafting on the Ottawa River to Line Dancing, Norma dove head first into living life.

She had an incredible welcoming smile that started deep in her heart, an infectious laugh, and if you visited her she always wanted to feed you. But above all else, she had a wonderful capacity to share her love for you and Norma a great big heart and opened it to many. Norma will be fondly remembered by those whom she embraced as family and friend, within the Pilipino community, at work, and by many people in the community.

A memorial celebration will be held at HILLSIDE FUNERAL SERVICES on Saturday January 19th, 2019 from 9 until 10:30 am. A celebration of her life will follow. Donations in Norma’s memory can be made towards the Nipissing Serenity Hospice.