When Norma talks about her husband, Ralph, she returns to his kindness.

They had known of each other at school, but their relationship began years later through volunteering at a church in Dartmouth. Norma’s sister worked with the food bank, and Ralph’s aunt was involved with the clothing store. The two introduced them.

Norma and Ralph married in 2000. They shared family visits, drives and familiar community events. Ralph welcomed her sons into his life, and Norma remembers how much he did for the people he loved.

“Every day I miss him.”

Support began with Ralph

Ralph’s service included peacekeeping in Cyprus and the Golan Heights, as well as carpentry and engineering work. Later in life, his health deteriorated.

He had begun working with 270 West on disability benefit applications before becoming seriously ill.

Norma recalls us helping him organize information and arranging transportation to medical appointments. Ralph frequently spoke about Tanya, a Benefit Navigator, and the assistance she was providing.

When he died, several claims were still unresolved.

For Norma, the practical work did not end with his death. It continued alongside grief and an already difficult search for a new home.

Help with forms she could not read

Norma’s sight made written correspondence and forms particularly difficult.

“She’s helped me fill out all the forms because I can’t see to do it.”

When Norma received a request for information, Tanya helped her to understand what was needed and to complete the paperwork. If an answer was not immediately available, Norma knew she would follow it through.

“If she didn’t know the answer, she would call and find the answer and give it back to me.”

Practical help during a difficult move

Norma and Ralph had been trying to move before his death. Afterward, she and one of her sons found a new place.

We helped Norma with the move, as well as transportation when she needed to attend appointments. These were immediate concerns in her daily life, alongside the ongoing benefits paperwork.

The relationship had become familiar enough that Norma could talk about what was troubling her, whether it concerned a form, an appointment or a difficult day.

Someone in her corner

Norma says there were times when she felt so low that even moving forward was difficult. Speaking with Tanya or others on the team helped her feel less alone. She also remembers Tanya being there for her at Ralph’s funeral.

She needed people who understood that the paperwork was only one part of what she was carrying.

Tanya became someone who knew the circumstances, answered questions and helped with practical needs as they arose.

“She offers a friendly hand any time I need it.”

Norma’s story is still unfolding. Her husband’s claims remained pending when she spoke with us about her experience. Through that uncertainty, she had a familiar person helping her find answers and manage the next step.