By Abbey Cannan
A 99-year-old Noosa grandmother has left her mark on the world before passing away, raising six children, 25 grandchildren and 28 great grandchildren.
Two days before her recent death at Nambour Hospital, Norma Gladman spent the night from 11pm to breakfast time holding FaceTime sessions with about 18 grandchildren and her own children.
“She had such clarity of mind that she gave a personal message to each to take into a life without her presence,“ Norma’s daughter, Laraine Boxshall said.
If you were on Gympie Terrace in May you might have seen Norma at her 99th party celebrating with local friends and family, declaring herself to be ready to turn 100 years old this coming Mothers’ Day weekend in 2022.
“Sadly, Covid has impacted heavily on the aged and their quality of life,“ Laraine said.
“Norma was at her best last May for her 99th birthday. Since then she suffered a series of falls with ever worsening consequences.
“It was difficult that Covid prevented siblings and grandchildren from visiting as her health deteriorated.“
Norma came from Anglesea on Victoria’s Great Ocean Road to live at Riverlands at Tewantin in 2009.
She was then aged 87 and had spent her entire life in Victoria.
Norma settled in well at Riverlands enjoying many activities, along with attending watercolour classes at The U3A and spending Sunday mornings at the Church of Christ in the Tewantin CWA hall.
“She made great friends at Riverlands during her seven years there, notably the beautiful Gwen Cooper and helpful and caring Carmel Bracker,“ Laraine said.
As she needed more assistance with daily life Norma moved to Arcare Peregian Springs, where she lived very happily for over five years, meeting a beautiful friend in Leda Madill.
“Sadly Leda passed away before Norma, so too Gwen Cooper predeceasing her by about a month,“ Laraine said.
Norma was born in Geelong in 1922, her mother Ethel belonging to the famous Nankervis family of football fame and Norma would watch her beloved Cats team play AFL, year after year.
Macular degeneration was not kind to Norma and would have precluded her from watching the Ashes as they begin this week.
Norma loved her life and new friends in Noosa, never regretting her move here.
“This next May hopefully the Australia-wide Gladman family will meet at Mount Macedon in Victoria where she and her late husband Bill one lived, and their ashes will be scattered to the winds,“ Laraine said.
