Obituary of Norman John Senn

March 18, 1932 – Essex, England

June 22, 2024 – Calgary, Alberta

Norm Senn, the beloved husband of Jean Senn (nee King) of Calgary, AB, passed away on Saturday, June 22, 2024, at the age of 92 years.

He will leave a huge hole in our lives, yet we feel his presence in everything he has taught us about living. The letters and files found after his death by his daughter are examples of his love for us. He gave his daughters the gift of leaving them a draft of his obituary. It is presented with minor edits here.

Husband, father, grandfather, and Mason. Born in Westcliff, England. Lived and worked in London from 1939 to 1959. Trained and worked as a Laboratory Technologist – became a Metropolitan Police Officer for five years. He married Jean in 1954. He went back to the laboratories in 1959 and emigrated to Edmonton, AB, Canada, that same year.

Norman worked at the University of Alberta/Provincial Laboratory of Alberta as Chief Technologist and later as Administrator. He was heavily involved in Scouting as a Cub, Scout and Rover Leader and Scout trainer until 1967, when they moved to Calgary. During this period, he was blessed with the birth of Charlene. He worked at SAIT as an Instructor and became Department Head of Medical Science in 1970, a position he held until retirement in 1988. Early during this period in, Calgary was further blessed by the birth of Tanya and in 1988, his wonderful granddaughter Jordan was born. He was twice President of the Canadian Society for Medical Laboratory Science (CSMLS) and was involved in its committees for more than twenty years. Became a Freemason in 1964 and has been PM, DDGM, and Member of AASR, 33 degrees, Royal Order of Scotland, Royal Arch, Preceptory, Red Cross of Constantine, and has worked on and chaired many committees at all levels of activity. He loved his Masonry and believed and practised its highly principled precepts. Norman has been a volunteer in many organizations and, like Jean, gave back to society where he could. Both received the Sovereign Medal for Contributions to Canada. He always hoped that he had done the best he could in life to practise the Golden Rule. He was fortunate to have married a wonderful woman and been happily married for 70 years. He loved his wife dearly for her strength and ability and being who she was. His two daughters gave him much pride and joy, and their partners, Meredith and Kevin, are exceptional people. His granddaughter was his friend and companion, and he counted himself so lucky to have had her in his life.

In addition to his wife, daughters, and granddaughter, Norman is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews in England, all of whom he loved dearly and was very proud of. He is also survived by his sister-in-law and his cousin in England and his adopted family and many friends in Canada.

Norman was predeceased by his parents, his much-loved brother, Ronnie and his sister-in-law Jean.

The family would like to thank the amazing team of health professionals in Unit 32, Foothills Hospital, especially Dr. Alison Lewis, Dr. LaBrie and the palliative team, for seeing Norman not just as a patient but as the man he was and making his last few weeks better.

Celebration of Life will be held at McInnis & Holloway (Crowfoot, 82 Crowfoot Circle NW, Calgary, AB ), on Saturday, July 6, 2024, at 2:00 p.m. Reception to follow in the Hospitality Centre at the Funeral Home.

If friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made directly to the Scottish Rite Charitable Foundation, 4 Queen St S, Hamilton, ON L8P 3R3, Telephone: 905-522-0033, www.srcf.ca/donate.

Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared and viewed with Norman’s family here.

In living memory of Norm Senn, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Crowfoot, 82 Crowfoot Circle NW, Calgary, AB T3G 2T3, Telephone: 403-241-0044.

Click to Sign the Video Guest Book and Watch Norm's Funeral Service