By Lee Torgalson

Peninsula News Review: " -

idney resident Norma Sealey is one of five Saanich Penin-
sula women nominated for the YM-YWCA's 1998 Women.
of Distinction awards.
Sealey, who modestly gives her age a as “Dye seen the big 60
come and go,” is no stranger to the winning circle.
In 1982, she was awarded the prestigious Order of Canvia
_ in 1983 she was granted honorary membership in the UVic
" Alumni Association and given the President’s Award from the:
B.C. Recreation Association; in 1984 she received a life mem-
bership from the Association of Vancouver Island Municipalt-
fies, and in 1991 was awarded a Citizenship Award from the L- -
7} ons Club.
oS This time Sealey i is up for a Lifetime Achievement Award,
fe and whether she wins or not, she’s already quite pleased.
.. “J feel very honored. I gather a lot of people have been nomi-
“nated, and just to be included is an honor in itself,” she said i ina
“recent i interview from her Sidney home.
. Sealey was notified last week that her nomination had been
accepted and; as shé handed over a five-page resume, it’s ea5y
to see why she is being considered for such an award.
Born in Sidney under the maiden name Carmichael, Norma
is a sixth-generation descendent of the | pioneering ° Thomso va
family that makes Vancouver Island home. She grew up in’
nearby Saanichton, and moved back to Sidney following her:
marriage to Mike Sealey... 5
Her committment to Gomitnuntly € causes isa trait Norma
picked up from her family at a very young age. — -
My grandparents and my parents were always: involved i in
the community, so it’s something I grew up with that just be:
carne a normal part of living,’ ‘She said. : M
"After working a variety of jobs, including : a stint as supervi- o
Sie ‘ sor for BC Tel, a civilian recreation co-ordinator for the U.S. Air |
“Force in Scotland and several positions as a secretary, Norma
retired to raise her three children, Michelle, Lynn and James. ©
ey Not one to sit on her laurels, though, Norma took the time to.
"obtain her pilot's license, attended pottery and ceramics Classes.
and studied speed-reading and other related courses.
i Being an active member of her community, Norma saw a ~
’.-few things she didn’t like happening in the political circles, so
she fired off a few letters to The Review expressing her displea-

- gure. Before long, she was 2s being urged toj jump: into municipal
- politics herself...
~ She served her first term as ‘Alderman i in. 1967-68 and 1970-71
= first, fc found it difficult to be accented | in the “old boys. net. oe
-work.2
“Things ave certainly changed 1 now, but that was ‘the 60s
“and I was technically the first female Alder ‘You had to be
fairly strong: willed back in these days.”
Y orma perservered, ‘and became mayor ix in a 1979 byelec-
“tion; was returned byz acclamation from 79-81 and again
a. from 81-83. She again ran for mayor and served two.
terms, from 1985-90. “ os Bhs
, Ofall the things accomplished with Norma at the helm ofthe
~ good ship Sidney, getting the town's breakwater built is proba.
“bly the one she is most proud of. “We worked so hard fort. It
‘had come and gone again under previous councils, so it was ae
tremendous relief to see it go through,” she said. es
Between her political terms, Norma ran for positions with |
. SD63 and served for more . than seven years as trustee, includ-
‘ ing one year as chair of the board.

| Regional District, including two terms as chair, has served

on the board of directors or executive for countless organiza

~ tions, including the United Way of Greater Victoria, Sidney Par-
ent tT eacher Association, pen Council to Sidney T: een Ac:

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Roman Catholic Church | | y Ps '

Hi Morning Worahpin30:30 asm. faa “702.00 Drive, "Broniwood Boy.

‘| a p.m. Potluck Supper

OUR LADY OF i fe. Mark Davison 652-3060 Fh

- THEASSUMPTION”: EET aN ag ‘? & Silont Auction for. f y ann
ona atoll Chere | 4 et lnaom pag ae Camp Pringle
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Bere realowship Rev, Stephen Hershoy

Fittly & Malaviow,
» Sidney
. 656. rad

— Mass 8:30 a.m.: a
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_ OFFICE - 656-7433 ms for more information antl
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Sidney’ 3 Norma Sealey; a well-deserved nominee for a Lifetime Achievement Award.

ns tivity Group and Juan de Fuca Hospital Foundation.

unteers that there’s lots for people to take part in.”

‘sula while keeping up. the “usual” things, like cooking, ‘sewing,
reading, clearing the family’s Central Saanich farm | d beir

Norma admits she'd like to slow down her pace just a little eae
~ “It does take up a fair amount of 1 my time and I keep trying to soph,
.. downsize, but every time I sy ‘no’ tos someone, they: don’ t be. poe
~ Fieve me,” she said...

Over the years, Norma has served as a director with the Cap ag

i 10030 Third St., Sidnoy pra

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Wednesday, April 22, 1998

“LEE TORGALSON PHOTO .

“T can't stand it when someone says they are bored and

. there’ s nothing to do,” N orma said of her own selfless commu:
nity involvement. °

“There are so many organizations arid groups that need vor

ere wouldn't be enough room to mention all of Norma’ s ‘
activities on two pages, let alone one; but she still likes to
‘keep her. hand i in the day-to-day activities of the Penin-

devoted wife, mother and grandniother.
‘It’s enough to tire one out just reading at out, andi even

“Thad the good fortune of growing up ina ‘a family that never mee

vag said a woman can’t do something. The support J received over -
- ‘the years from my husband and family just perpetuated that.”

* And her achievements aren’t ones she accomplished alone. -
.“Y have also been fortunate to work with people who have »

helped me make those achievements,” she said.

Norma will be attending the gala dinner for nominees May 6, :

: when winners in each of seven categories wal be announced,

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“ST. ANDREW'S,

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i united CHURCH ANGLICAN CHURCH
™~ 10900 W. Saanich Rd, 9686-3rd Street, Sidnay
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Su School Cuces is 6:00 BU eensvae, ay Te oelly Eucharint § !
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‘Rov, Bovert ues RICHARD ROOT 656-5322.

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: ST, BYEPHEN'S

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“Fv. Dr. Coc Kirk 6862261 I cecal i

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Youth Pastor David Guthrie .

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- | ATTEND THE CHURCH SERUICE ||
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