Nora Arnold: The Very Best Kind of Neighbour
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Nora at 99 years old on September 17, 2025. She was one of Killarney Glengarry’s very early citizens and was truly ‘The Very Best Kind of Neighbour’. She knew everyone within her realm and was always there for her neighbours. We will miss her so much. To honour the very special person that she was, we are reprinting the article that appeared in the newsletter in 2024.
Nora Arnold is the kind of neighbour every one of us would love. She’s fun loving, loves to cook, fiercely loyal, and is impeccable about everything she does from gardening to being a legal secretary.
Nora was born an Albertan in Vulcan 98 years ago on July 5. She was raised on a farm near Vulcan where her grandparents came from Ontario in 1905 to start – she still owns and loves that piece of land today.
She came to Calgary as an 18-year-old in 1944 and started a career as a billing clerk and secretary that culminated in retiring from Union Oil in 1986 where she had worked as a legal and executive secretary. She spent 49 years as a member of the renowned Desk and Derrick Club where she passionately kept track of every conceivable statistic over all those years and still does.
She and first husband, Cec chose their lot in Killarney in 1952 because it was flat and would be best for gardening; there were only two at the time to choose from. All around them were only scattered houses and lots of horse pasture. She fondly remembers the horses at Barns Riding Academy where Viscount High School once was.
Five houses were being built simultaneously by Jager Homes on their block and this one was finished first – it is a beautiful house complete with sunroom – immaculate in every way. The original hardwood floors glisten and the 1970s red and white booth style kitchen table are legendary. She loves her home, and it shows – particularly this beautiful birch tree that she has nurtured for its entire life.
She tells me that she knows almost everyone who has ever lived on her block and has albums and records that indicated who lived in which house and for how long. She is an amazing photographer and archivist – every photo is labelled and dated and albums organized by year without a scrap of dust that I could see.
The moving (literally) of Jason and Gina’s house next door is carefully catalogued with photos and newspaper clippings.
This woman values friends in a way that is remarkable – one neighbour who moved on to Texas even came back to visit with their old neighbourhood friends. Wilda Wiggins lived next door to her for 49 ½ years. In all those years there was never a harsh word between them! How’s that for a neighbour?
Nora said Killarney was the perfect place to raise her three children, who ran free with friends, to keep an eye on them. Her kids attended Killarney School which is now the Montessori School.
Nora remarried in 1973 to Wayne Arnold who had six children, and they became a cherished part of her extended family.
Since Nora retired from Union Oil in the 1986 recession, she has loved retirement – gardening, looking after family and friends – she’s famous for her dill pickles (no garlic, please!), keeping track of everyone and continuing her track record of being a loyal friend to all. She hasn’t given up making lists and crossing items off as completed, which keeps her archivist skills honed.
Her 90th birthday party held at Killarney Hall on July 5, was filled with people and Nora was continuing her quest to connect people with other people she knew they’d love.
Nora has three children; six grandchildren, and nine great grandchildren, of whom she is very proud. She is a much-loved woman who has given so much to her family and her community. Killarney is proud that she is one of us!
Nora is now 98 and going strong; as bright as a button and still keeping track of all her friends.
Photos courtesy of Nora Arnold
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