December 1, 1926 – Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
August 23, 2025 – Sundre, Alberta
At the age of 98 years

Norma Frances Bicknell (née Rose) passed away peacefully at the Sundre Supportive Living Facility in Sundre, AB, early on Saturday, August 23, 2025, at the age of 98 years.

Born and raised in Saskatoon, SK, with her parents Franklin and Emma Rose, and her siblings Doris, Allen, and Larry, Norma graduated with a B.A. from the University of Saskatoon in 1951. She became a flight attendant with Canadian Pacific Airline, where she crewed flights in Western and Northern Canada. It was on one of these flights that she met a pilot named Alfred ”Alf” Bicknell, who she married in 1953. Life as a pilot’s wife took her to many cities in Canada and countries overseas – Edmonton, AB; Stewart and Richmond, BC; Calgary, AB; Halifax, NS; Sudan, Africa; Papua New Guinea; Drumheller, AB; and Fort Smith and Inuvik, NWT. Norma and Alf’s final move was to a hanger/apartment at the Sundre Airport in 1996, where Alf was rebuilding a Tiger Moth bi-plane, and where both were active in the Sundre Flying Club. Norma was an ardent crusader for many causes dear to her heart – women’s rights and equality, saving Nose Hill Park in Calgary, and the South McDougal Area Structure Plan, to name a few.

Lovingly remembered by her children, Clark, Jane (Paul), Ward (Mary Jane), and Norma (Kim); her grandchildren, Wayne (Rebecca), Michael, and Chris; her great-grandchildren, Abigail and Zoe; her sister, Doris Rose; her sisters-in-law, and also many nieces, nephews, friends and extended family members.
She was predeceased by her husband, Alf; her parents, Franklin and Ellen Rose; and her brothers, Allen Rose and Larry Rose.

The family wishes to extend their sincere appreciation to the staff, caregivers, volunteers, and doctors at the Sundre Supportive Living Facility for the exceptional compassion and care received by Norma during her time with them.

If desired, Memorial Tributes made in Norma’s honour may be made directly to the Sundre Palliative Care Association at 709 – 1 Street NE, Sundre, AB, T0M 1X0, Telephone: (403) 335-8481, Web: https://www.sundrepalliativecare.ca/ , or to Sundre Hospital Futures by web at https://www.sundrehospitalfutures.com/donate.html

The family will hold a private Celebration of Norma’s Life, at a later date.

Condolences, memories and photos may be shared and viewed at www.heartlandfuneralservices.com. Arrangements in care of: Heartland Funeral Services Ltd., 5226 – 46 Street, Olds, Alberta. Phone: 403.507.8610

• Date : 2025-08-29
• Location : (Olds) LOCALLY OWNED AND OPERATED (Red Deer/Blackfalds/Eckville) www.ParklandFuneralHome.com & (Innisfail/Olds/Didsbury/Sundre) www.HeartlandFuneralServices.com