Norma Elliott (née Rowsell) died February 13, 2026 at the Ruddy-Shenkman hospice, Ottawa.

Born January 1949 in St. John’s Newfoundland, Norma was the only child of the late Rev. Reginald and Ruby (Field) Rowsell. Predeceased by her first husband Raphael Joseph, of Antigua, WI.

Norma will be missed by her husband John, son Marcus Joseph, daughters Shauna and Tarryn (Pablo), son Nathan (Alie), granddaughters Scarlett and Breanna and many friends, colleagues and hookers (rug).

Norma kept her sense of humour to the end. Her last words to family were “Goodbye, I love you and I’ll miss you…but I won’t.“ When the medication was administered she said “I can taste it, if I would known I would have asked for chocolate.” 

A vegetarian and devout atheist, she loved animals and despaired for the ones that ended up on dinner plates. Even though she loved all animals, she never got over her fear of moths.

Norma was a minister’s daughter, mother, grandmother and wife.

After graduating from memorial university of Newfoundland Norma worked as library assistant in the MUN library. Moving to Ottawa a few years later, Norma took a job as a Database Manager, eventually becoming a Systems Analyst and Database Designer.

Norma was always up to a challenge, and took pride in her work. You could guarantee that applications Norma did the QA on did what they were supposed to do and were bug free. She tested everything and documented in detail each and every application that she was responsible for. This explains her dislike of cell phones and modern technology that doesn’t always do what you would expect it to.

Norma had many hobbies including genealogy, weaving, knitting, crocheting and rug hooking. She was also a writer, editor and an award winning poet. Norma hated leaving things unfinished (Rambler).

Respecting Norma’s wishes, there will be no visitation or funeral ceremony.

On March 22, 2026, from 1 to 3 pm, there will be a gathering of family, friends, colleagues, and those whose lives intersected with hers at Biagio’s on Richmond Rd. to honour Norma.