NONA NEIGEL
Nona Neigel, aged 55, passed away on October 17, 2019 in Moose Jaw, SK surrounded by her family. Everyone’s best friend, Nona made you feel loved, special, accepted, and truly understood. She would listen for hours and was so many people’s first phone call. You could not help but love Nona. As a Mom, she made her daughters feel like they could do anything – there was no idea too big, too crazy, or too random. She always had an unshakeable belief in them, and she made sure they knew how special and capable and loved they were. They always felt completely accepted and safe with their mom; she would never judge. They could tell her anything and her response would always be love. She called her daughters Princess Power – which meant to her they were beautiful, and special, but also strong, and that they could do anything. She taught them to always say ‘I love you’, to never go to bed angry, and to put themselves in other people’s shoes – you never know what they’re going through. Also, if your hair looks bad, you look bad. As a Grandma (Gamma), she was cherished. She loved her Grandson Blake and her Granddaughter, Samantha. She would sit on the floor for hours playing Beyblades, setting up racetracks, playing with beanie boos, and just always giving her undivided love and attention. Samantha was showered in Nona’s love from the second she was born and though their time was limited, the love had no limits. Blake and Nona had an unbreakable bond from the moment he was born – she loved him like a son. She was also a loving sister to her 10 brothers and sisters – sharing a unique bond with each one. Cynthia with letter writing and Extendicare, Bradley with the unicycle, Randy with coins, Beverly with music and world-record breaking phone calls, Wanda with movies and popcorn, Justin with watches, Barry with antiques and expensive taste, Raymond with running away together in Elementary school, Patrick with collecting, and Darcy with his childhood guardianship of her. She was so grateful for her family. A forever style icon and jewelry connoisseur, Nona loved to shop. Her closet and awe-inspiring jewelry collection is a reflection of her – beautiful, royal, unique, glamorous, and so much fun. If you ever had a question about fashion, or style, she was your first call. She shared both her advice and her treasures – it gave her a lot of joy to spread this beauty around. Her jewelry motto: more is always more. Unless you’re going out – then take one item off before you leave the house so you don’t look like Mr. T. She got this sense of style, and penchant for collecting from her mom, Justine. A mom she loved and cherished so completely. No one made her feel more safe and special than her mom. She worked in fashion – giving so many women their confidence back through the special ensembles she put together for them. Everyone felt beautiful and special in her presence – including her roster of regular customers. They loved her style advice and gorgeously selected pieces, but more than anything, they loved Nona. She made this shopping thing that they dreaded a time for fun and laughter – a time to celebrate themselves. She also worked in health care – bringing her tangible love and empathy to those in pain and in illness. She helped them physically, and soothed their minds and souls. She listened, truly listened, to everyone – making them feel heard and important. Patients and people with dementia, mental illness, people who couldn’t even speak, she listened with her heart and they always felt her love. For many, hers was the love and acceptance they had never gotten before. She loved blasting music at top volume, and usually on repeat. She brought this love to everyone around her. We’ve all danced with her, sung at the top of our lungs with the windows rolled down, and just sat in quiet enjoying a really good song. She loved to ride her bike – whether a mountain bike, a tandem bike, or even a unicycle. She loved taking her daughters on bike rides to Fish Creek Park, and exploring abandoned old houses. She and her daughters even made a secret garden atop an abandoned shed – a magical place to spend time together. You could feel the love and acceptance radiating from her – a true angel on this Earth. She brightened the lives of so many, you can’t help but smile when you think about her. We know she’s both in Heaven and right here among us. When you feel a burst of love and warmth in your heart, that’s Nona. She’s still here if you need her. She is so grateful for the love of her family, and she’s happy and at peace where she is. She will be missed so very much by so many. She has left a massive hole in our hearts but we’ll fill it with our countless special memories of her. Nona plans to come back as a bald eagle, so be on the lookout for a bejeweled eagle soaring through the sky. Nona is survived by her daughters, Michelle and Courtney, the love of her life, Graeme, and her two grandchildren Blake and Samantha. She is also survived by her mother Justine, and her brothers and sisters - Cynthia, Wanda, Beverly, Barry, Patrick, Randy, Darcy, Raymond, Justin, and Bradley. Also mourning her loss are her nieces and nephews: Nicole, Megan, Sarah, Matthew, Benjamin, Olivia, Avery, Renee, Kahla, Kathleen, Margaret, Barrett, Tyler, Tiffany, Thomas, Everett, Melissa, Emily, Jaik, and Ruby. Also surviving Nona are her 10 grandnieces and grandnephews, and the spouses of Nona’s siblings, nieces, and nephews. Nona was predeceased by her Father, William on November 6, 2000. They’re together in Heaven listening to ‘Up on The Roof’ by Neil Diamond. A Celebration of Nona's Life will be held at Parkview Funeral Chapel, 474 Hochelaga St W, on Thursday October 24, 2019 at 1:30PM Memorialization will take place at Rosedale Cemetery. In loving memory of Nona, a memorial tree planting will be made by Jones-Parkview Funeral Services. Please sign the memorial register at website: www.wjjonesandson.com or www.parkviewfuneralchapel.ca
