It is with great sadness that we announce the death of our dear mother Leora. At 98, she was still the center of the family, and a never-ending source of joy and happiness.
Born in Edmonton, the youngest of the six children of John George Niddrie and Martha Leora Alverda Niddrie (nee Johnson), she was predeceased by all her siblings and was the last of her generation for both sides of our family; she lost her dear husband Tony (Michael Anthony Nugent) in 2007. She is survived by her six children Bob (Beth), Jim (Sue), Carol, Patsy Tanner (Bruce), Dan (Barb) and Mike (Louise), as well as 17 grandchildren and 21 great grandchildren.
In her younger years she loved tap dancing, speed skating and friendships, and kept friends for life. Anyone who met her was made to feel like a friend, as she emanated kindness and had a wonderful memory for people. She met Tony in high school and married him August 21, 1945 in Edmonton, where they raised their family until 1967, when they moved to Victoria.
Many winters were spent in Arizona, where Mom joined a tap dancing group of women who later became the Sun City Pom Poms, a cheerleading group with ages ranging from 60 to 85. With them Mom demonstrated her famous cartwheels. She and Dad also enjoyed many years of golf friendships in Sun City, Arizona and at Uplands Golf Club in Victoria, where she celebrated birdies with cartwheels on the greens until age 72.
Following Tony’s death, she moved into independent living at Shannon Oaks in 2008, making many more friends, but keeping independent, driving her car until the last few months of her life.
Her biggest pride and joy was her family, and many family gatherings were enriched by the joy, happiness, and the sense of fun that radiated from her. Funny stories about her abound in the family, and Leora was the first to share them with us.
We are comforted by Mom’s own words, often repeated in her waning years: “ I have lived a full and wonderful life”. This unwavering capacity to embrace the positive and lighter side of life was the very essence of Leora’s being. From it sprang her ready laughter, spontaneous sense of fun, her engaging warmth, openness and generosity of spirit that extended easily to strangers as well as friends.
The family is forever grateful to the long and devoted care that Mom received from Dr. Darcy Nielsen and assistants Emma and Barb. Thanks also to Dr. Alam and Dr. Wenzel-Smith.
A celebration of Leora’s life will be held at Uplands Golf Club at 3 pm on Saturday, October 22, 2022. For catering purposes, please RSVP to nugentcelebration@gmail.com if you will be attending.
In place of flowers, please consider a donation to the charity of your choice.
Messages and memories may be shared below.
My Mother’s Teachings
Some learning requires a schoolroom
With written lessons;
Some just takes growing up
With a very special Mom.
So has my education and my life been enriched.
Because…
Without my Mom, I might not know…
That laughter can bubble up In the most unexpected places,
And is always welcome.
Without my Mom. I might not know…
That strangers can be made friends.
If one chooses to turn to them and smile
Without my Mom, I might not know…
That the prettiest face in the room
Is the one reflecting laughter and love.
Without my Mom, I might not know…
That kindness to others need never be limited
By one’s own circumstances.
Without my Mom, I might not know…
That heart and spirit are always to be had
Through even the hardest times.
Without my Mom, I might not know…
That Life is sorrow and exuberance,
But when able, move towards exuberance.
Without my Mom, I might not know…
That cartwheels can be turned
At a moment’s notice, any time in life.
Without my Mom. I might not know…
That one can always be a child
Who loves to play, sing and dance.
Without my Mom, I might not know…
That humour and laughter
Are Life’s design for balance.
Without my Mom, I might not know…
That women are incredibly strong
And can do just about anything.
Without my Mom, I might not know…
That mothers and daughters share a special place
Unclaimed by any other.
Your loving daughter,
Carol
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Lana McCallum-Brown
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Krista Voitchovsky My sincerest condolences to the whole family. Leora was truly a bright ray of sunshine, so positive and smiling. Such a lovely person, mom & gramma.
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Liz & Doug Turner She was a wonderful woman, a great neighbour and will be missed by all who had the good fortune to have met her. Our condolences to all of the Nugent Family.
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Jane Elworthy Such a lovely lady. A former neighbour and mother of a schoolmate. Sorry to learn she has passed away.
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Jan Lawrence To the Nugent family
What a beautiful tribute to your dear mother.
As you said, Leora kept friends for life. She and my mother Sheila first met in high school in Edmonton and their friendship was rekindled when Leora and Tony moved to Victoria.
Mum thought the world of her Edmonton chum, and always looked forward to their times together. Leora had the gift of lifting everyone’s spirits and was a loving and generous friend. I’ll always remember her kindness when Mum passed away.
She was a very special person and will be missed.
She’ll live on through all of you, who were so dear to her.
Thinking of you with love and gratitude,
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Leigh and Carol Urquhart To the Nugent Family,
Our thoughts are with you at this difficult time. Leora was a remarkable woman. In the times that we were fortunate enough to have been in her company, she was so amazingly cheerful and kind. We know how much you will miss her.
With sincere sympathy,
Leigh and Carol Urquhart
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WAYNE SMITH AND FAMILY SORRY OF YOUR LOSS OF A GREAT LADY WHO GAVE MY LATE WIFE THE NAME LEORA
MY DEEPIST CONDOLENCES TO ALL THE NUGENT FAMILY
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Clarence Kingsley_Pillai Dear Lenora … they say you pass away! …but I think you went camouflaged to watch your loved ones!…but you have left a solid impression that will last forever…from time to time when your kids make a recipe or talk about your sense of humour, they will say “you know my mom cooked this and it was awesome or some funny thing you did or said and have a good laugh. So you see, you may have gone physically but you will be here in the memory of the ones who loved you so much…your memory lives forever in the life of each and everyone. So lady, we know that you are here with your loved ones! Don’t think that you fooled them…Shall we have a glass of whatever!
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Bonnie Parks I’m so saddened today! Leora was one of a kind! My Mom, Marie felt so close and taken care of with the love of her special cousin Leora. My sister named after her. Sometimes it’s just hard to believe that and incredible lady like Leora could ever pass on. But she will never be forgotten for the way she made others feel. Like they were special.
Hugs and condolences to all the families. Thank you Dan for sharing the obituary for us all to read. My heart is sad, yet we need to celebrate her wonderful life! Her smile lives on!
Bonnie.
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Wende Hello, none of you know me but I wanted to send my condolences to you. My Mom passed away the next day at 95, but I just wanted to thank Carol for your amazing tribute to your Mom. She sounded so much like my Mom and your tribute had me with many tears, it was absolutely beautiful! Moms obit should be in on Saturday,her name was Rose.
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Bill McEwen It didn’t matter how many people were in the room or how loud the ruckus, if Leora saw you arrive, she made you feel like your arrival was the start of the fun. We are all poorer for her absence. Thinking of all the Nugent Clan today. Bill and Deborah McEwen
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Mike and Laine Anderson Laine and I were blessed to know LeeLee as family calls her for a couple short years in Az and saddened to learn of her passing. She enriched so many lives and will be missed by many! Our condolences to the family that we’ve briefly gotten to know. We hope to see you in Az at some point this winter.
Our love Mike and Laine
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Susan Dunn & Len Chilibeck We were so sorry to read of the passing of your dear, sweet Mother. She will be dearly missed by all who had the honour to meet her. She lived a grand, full life and was so generous in her loving spirit. She raised such wonderful, kind, outstanding children that it’s a direct reflection on the loving character that she embodied. Our deepest condolences to The Nugent Family.
I just discovered this beautiful tribute to your Mom, I didn’t know of her passing. Leora was always one of my favorite people, so happy and bubbly and interesting. She and my mother Blanche McCallum went to school together in Edmonton and when they re-discovered each other in Victoria became life-long friends. We are very sorry for your loss of a very special person and Mom. Our most sincere condolences to all of the family.