At LHSC-University Hospital, London on Tuesday, July 15, 2014 of Exeter and formerly of Sundre, Alberta, Ravenswood, Lion’s Head, Hanover, Hespeler, Zephyr, Port Hope, Brampton, St. Thomas, Sarnia, Stayner, and Port Elgin in her 79th year. Beloved wife of Rev. Edward Chester for 60 years. Dear mother of John and Cyndi Chester of Waterford, Michigan, Mark and Edith-Faye Chester of Stratford, Paul and Donna Chester of Burlington, Debby and Randy Wagler of Exeter. Dear grandmother of Jeremy and Suzette Chester, Corey and Ida Chester, Stacey and Michael McWithey; Daniel and Jessica Chester, Timothy and Sarah Chester, Evangeline and Timothy Watson, Zachariah Chester; Brianna Chester, Grace Chester; Bethany and Andrew Wagler-Mantle, Jonathan Wagler, Faith-Anne Wagler and Gregory Reale, David Wagler and Rebecca Walker, and Joshua Wagler; and great-grandmother of Jacob, Christopher, Mason, Ryan, Shawna, Cadence, Konner, Justice, Benjamin, Isabella, Elenora, Theodore, Adelaide, and Simon. Dear sister and sister-in-law of Winona and Gary Gehiere of Paradise Lake, and Betty Lou Purdy-Heywood and Ron Heywood of Exeter. Predeceased by her brother Bill Purdy. Noriene and Edward served for 46 years at eight church congregations with E.M.C.C.Friends may call at the Haskett Funeral Home, 370 William Street, Exeter (1 street west of Main) on Friday evening 6-9 PM. The funeral service will be held at Emmanuel Baptist Church, 40007 Kirkton Road, Exeter on Saturday, July 19th at 10 AM with Rev. Charles Gingerich and Rev. Dr. Brent Powell officiating. Interment Exeter Cemetery.
Donations to the Heartland Evangelical Missionary Church, Emmanuel Baptist Church or Huron Perth Healthcare Alliance (Diabetes Education Program).
CHESTER: M. Noriene (Purdy) of Exeter
We are always willing to go where called upon but this image shows a visual of the communities that our included in our initial transportation fee. We offer a 40km radius from any of our 5 locations (Arva (London), Exeter, Lucan, Seaforth, and Zurich). Any mileage beyond the included 40km will be charged a rate of $2.50/km (one way travel only).
Ann Leckie
Sorry to hear about your lost. Your mom was a great lady to know and be around.
Wilson & Carol Wiley
I just read the notice of Noriene’s homegoing this morning (Tuesday). We are so sorry we didn’t have the opportunity to attend the memorial service. Our memories of Noriene go back to our youth, and we recognize her and Bill and other family members as being such a positive influence in our lives. We rejoice in the knowledge that she is at home with her Saviour. We pray for the family and may God bless!
Carol Ramsdale (Matthews)
I have very fond memories of Noriene as I was a youth in the St. Thomas Church where they served. May you now find comfort from the one she served so faithfully, until you see her again.
Murra/Mavis Trask
So many great memories Mavis and I have of being with you and Noriene . She was an exceptional wife,mother and Godly representative . Agreat adjunct to your ministery .We have lost touch over the years ,but our feelings and respect remain . May you and your family cherish her memory. Blessings
Marion McCurdy
Randy, Debby & Family – Sincere sympathy to your family at this very sad and difficult time. My thoughts & prayers are with you.
Marion McCurdy
Ivan and Eva Hayes
Pastor Mark, Edith-Faye and family… Ivan and I express deep sympathy in your loss as a family. It is hard to lose a wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother. Noriene Chester was a very special lady and it was an honour to have met her on several occasions. She was kind, gentle and carried the fragrance of Jesus. She is at peace with her Lord, what a privilege to finally meet the one she has faithfully served for so many years. I pray that the God of all comfort will be with each family member as you each miss her in your own unique way. Praise God you are able to say not “Good bye” but “See you later”.
Garth and Pilar Hunking
To the entire Chester Family,
We send our deepest sympathy to the family on the passing of Aunt Noriene. Her deep faith (and that wonderful smile) remain as a testimony and inspiration. We pray the Lord gives comfort to the close family in grieving the loss of Noriene. Mark and Faye, you are in our thoughts and prayers.
Garth and Pilar
Mary Ducharme
Debby and Family
My prayers and thoughts are with you at this sad time.
I remember her helping us a couple times at Diners, a
gentle kind lady.
Mary
Ron and Jeannette Faw
Dear Edward and family,
We are very sorry for your loss… Jeannette and I have been observing that, since almost all of our parents’ generation has passed away, we are now the next in line.
I remember you and Noriene from when the two of you used to visit Mother and Dad on the farm at RR 1 Springfield before you were married. I was in my early teens at the time. Noriene was such a beautiful and charming person – and that impression persisted every time we were in contact over the years. You both were a great encouragement to Jeannette and me in our career as missionaries.
With our love and prayers, Ron & Jeannette Faw.
Kathy Kirk
Randy, Deb, Jon and families,
My sympathy to the families and friends of such a great lady .May she always be a ‘song in your heart’.
Esther Stewardson
My Heart goes out to you Debbie ant all you family May God comfort you with all the Good memories you have.
Susan Norgren
My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
She will be deeply missed by all.
Friend of Paul and Donna Chester.
Karelse family's
Dear Edward and family.
It is with sadness that we write this note that Noriene I has passed away. She truly was an role model for all of us while you were in Sarnia.
We rejoice with her to know she is where she wants to be now enjoying life eternal with her Heavenly Father .
Blessings to all of you, you had a great wife and mother.
Vianne Culbert
Ed, Randy, Debby and Family: I am blessed to have known your mom. She was a model for me of what a christian woman should be. She was so loving and giving to everyone who knew her. I am so sorry for your loss. God bless you all as you mourn her passing and celebrate a life well lived.
Bruce and Isabelle Cullen
To Pastor Ed and family
We are thankful for the wonderful memories we have of you, Pastor Ed and Noriene when you pastored in Zephyr and the times we met in Port Hope, Sarnia and Stayner Camp. A verse of encouragement which came to us: “Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of
His saints. Psalm 116:15”. God will be the comfort you and your family need in the coming days.
Bruce and Isabelle Cullen
Cherry and John Schiestel
Our deepest sympathies and sincere condolences to the Chester and Purdy families. Noriene was a wonderful model of a Pastor’s wife and such a blessing in our family’s life as well. She was the most gracious and loving woman who treated everyone from all walks of life equally. I feel blessed to have known her.
Christine (Schiestel) Ruetz
Mr Chester and Family.
I grew up in the Sarnia Missionary Church and had the honour of having Edward and Noriene as Pastors in my life. Noriene was a true inspiration as to what a Women/Mother of Faith should be like. I have thought of her ofter over the last 30+ years. I am thankful for the role modle she was. Thinking of you all at this time, and rejoicing that she is home with her Lord and Saviour
Denise Mazik
Mark — so sorry to hear of the loss of your Mom. I’ll be praying for you as you bring the homily. A privilege and honour — but filled with many emotions, I am sure. Denise Mazik
Bob and Martha Heywood
A wonderful, kind and gracious lady for sure. Noriene was a vibrant and consistent testimony of what a relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ can do in and through our lives, when we surrender to Him. I have heard testimony to her dedicated support to Ed in their various pastorates. ” Well done , good and faithful servant, “
Carolyn Sinclair
Dear Randy and Debbie and family + extended family,
So sorry to hear of your dear Mom’s passing. What comes to mind when I think of her is her beautiful smile, gentle, tactful words and her sincere faith as she lived her life. She was one of God’s special flowers for sure. Please give your Dad a big hug for us too.
Please feel God’ s arms surrounding each one of you and I know that the emotions will be clouded in sorrow but there is a great celebration going on in heaven. Lots of love and hugs,
Howard and Carolyn.
Scott,Kim,Emily,Luke and Ethan Brockway
Donna, Paul, Brianna, Grace and Chester families
We are saddened to hear of the passing of your Mother and Grandmother. Hold on to your wonderful memories, they will bring you strength..
Our thoughts and prayers are with you at the difficult time.
Scott, Kim, Emily, Luke and Ethan Brockway
Laura Dailey
Dear Pastor Chester, I’m so sorry for your loss. I remember Noriene from my childhood at PEMC, always bringing the kids up to the front for a story before we were dismissed to Sunday School. She had a great smile and kind eyes. I think she loved everybody she met. I haven’t seen either of you for quite some time but those days I’ll never forget. I’m so grateful to know that we’ll see Noriene again in heaven and until then I pray God keeps you wrapped in the comfort of His arms. You and your family will be in my prayers. Thank you for being loyal servants and such good examples of Jesus here on earth. Love, Laura
Vanje Leavitt
Noriene taught me so much through her Bible Study Leadership, during my early days as a Christian in St. Thomas. I remember her so fondly. Our prayers are with you all. Vanje and Rich Leavitt
Ruth Hockley
Edward & Family
Thank you Debbie for your phone call.Since speaking with you so many wonderful memories have come to mind .Edward when we first met , you were newly weds as were we .Your son Mark and our daughter Marie were born a week apart. Needless to say many happy times were shared .Your commitment to your Lord and dedication to the people you served will always be remembered and appreciated .
May the One you have so faithfully served be your comfort and strength in the days ahead .
Sincere Sympathy
Marie & Lloyd Fretz
Our sincere sympathy to all the family and the many friends Noriene and Ed made over the years during their faithful ministry!! Noriene was a lovely lady very appreciated and respected. May the Lord comfort and sustain during this difficult time!! Blessings!
David and Karen Crouse
Our deepest sympathy to you in the passing of your beloved wife, mother and grandmother.
Noriene was such a lovely gracious lady and such a gentle soul. We both so enjoyed working with her on district and national levels of the women’s ministries of the EMCC. She served her Lord with such dedication and love. Heaven is a richer place today.
David & Karen Crouse
Joanne (Gray) Zurbrigg
Very sorry to hear about Noriene’s passing. I remember her with fondness from my childhood and any time our paths crossed since! My sympathy to all of you!
Joanne
Kim Winbow
Debby, Randy and family,
Please accept my very deepest condolence on the passing of your dear Mother and Grandmother. I will really miss seeing her bright smiling face when I walk down Huron Street. I will continue to keep you in my thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.
Jason Bourne
Debby, Randy and family,
I am sorry for your loss. Our thoughts are with you and your family during these difficult times.
William J. Purdy IV
My dearest Aunt Noriene was such a great lady, so sweet and kind hearted. That’s not to say that she was any sort of pushover though, but a gentleness of character such as hers seems most sincere when it is tempered by an appropriate display of assertiveness from time to time. Now, I’ll admit that I didn’t always appreciate the casseroles she’d make when I was visiting with my parents as a child, because I could be a picky eater back then. And yet, nowadays, cooking up “exotic” concoctions from all and sundry found in my pantry is my specialty (often with far less palatable results than my aunt’s carefully selected recipes). However, if she’d have tasted one of my less successful creations, she’d have probably said, “Now isn’t that interesting?” She give that diplomatic assessment without a little aside, nor even a wink, but I felt at times, one or the other was somewhat implied. She provided proof positive that one can be gracious while still letting others know your verdict. Finally, please let me tell you that she was one of the few people in this world with whom for me a hug seemed the only appropriate form of greeting. That beaming smile, that little twinkle in her eye and those open arms that she’d extend, well, even the most standoffish of folks would gladly acquiesce to such a warm and heartfelt embrace! And in the end, if she was so worthy of such a tangible display of love and affection from even the least demonstrative of people among us, it was because she made everyone around her feel so worthy of the same! So with that in mind, I give to all my family and to all of those fortunate enough to have ever known my Aunt Noriene, even ever so briefly, the deepest of my sympathies even if that is pale comfort to the tonic that my late aunt’s cheerful disposition, kind nature and loving spirit would have been to those missing her now.
Alison Carnie
I am so so grateful the doctor in Emergency admitted me the evening of June 30 for chest pain to South Huron Hospital!!
I got to spend three days with this glorious, gracious, elegant, charming soul … we laughed, giggled and chatted for hours.
When she shared her words I was mesmerized … her gentle voice took me on her life’s journey … when we hugged on Friday, saying goodbye, I was a changed soul, a more enlightened, better, kinder soul than when I arrived in that room.
We were going to get together Friday and plan our visits for the future … I couldn’t wait to see that unforgettable, welcoming smile.
I have travelled the globe for fifty years, lived in four countries and chatted with maybe a thousand people yet no one … No one touched me like Noriene. … no one.
Albeit, sadly, I inhaled her gifts for only three days, her cerebral fragrance has made me. Better person and shall stay with me for the rest of my glorious, riotous life.
Tom Hartai
Deb and family:
On behalf of my family and staff please accept all of our deepest condolences at this difficult time.
Your Mom was always a pleasure to serve in our store.
God’s Blessings to you and your wonderful family. May He be with you all during your difficult times ahead.
Tom Hartai
Exeter
Lois & Gary Carriere
Uncle Edward, John, Mark, Paul and Debby and families, we are saddened by the loss of your wife, mother, grandmother, but comforted in knowing she has gone to be with her Lord and Saviour. We will all meet again one day. God bless you and give you all strength to live without Noriene, a beautiful, kind, gentle and loving woman whom all will miss dearly.
Lois & Gary
Cathy Batten
Dear Debby & Randy and Family
My sincere condolences go to out to all of you at this very difficult time in the loss of your Mom, Mother-in-law & Grandma. I was saddened to hear of her loss & I will miss her smile whenever I saw her. May you all find comfort in the special memories of her that each & everyone of you hold. Hugs. Take Care
Cathy Batten
Angela & Kevin Shantz
We just wanted to extend our sympathy to your family. What treasure you all have in the beautiful memories of this wonderful lady, who always had such a wonderful smile on her face and kind words to say! Always enjoyed the visits we had over the years. Our thoughts are with you all. May you be strengthened and blessed throughout these days. Love, Angela & Kevin
brenda moore
So sorry for your loss, she will be greatly missed by everyone. Glad she is at rest and peace in her Savior’s arms. I have missed Noriene and Pastor Ed being apart of Heartland church services and will continue to hold onto my many talks, laughter and smiles we shared together over many years. May God’s blessing and strength be with all of her family. with love and prayers Richard and Brenda Moore and family.
Janet Corbett
Randy, Debby and family,
So sorry to hear of your mom’s passing. What a wonderful, kind lady , who lived out her faith, in everyday life. May you find peace in knowing she is now with her Lord and Saviour.
Much love and prayers
Jeff and Janet Corbett
Brintnell Family
Debby, Randy and Family
So sorry to hear of the passing of your Mom. Thinking of you all.
Bill, Karen, Zach & Caitlin.