Norma Turner

Norma Rose Turner was a vibrant and loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend. A bundle of energy packed in a small frame, Norma lived each day with vigor and class. She cared for her physical and spiritual health with the discipline of exercise and prayer. She was grateful for the life God gave her and made each day count with acts of love and kindness.

Norma was born in the decade after the First World War when America’s economic recovery was stimulated by an influx of immigrants who came to make a new life for their families. Mr. and Mrs. Peter and Elizabeth (Marchion) Cesarone had both come from Italy and made their home in Brownsville, Pennsylvania. He worked as a carpenter while she cared for the children at home and fulfilled the critical role of “pasta cooker.” On September 2, 1926, they were blessed by the birth of their fourth child, a daughter they named Norma Rose.

Already as a young girl, Norma was very physically active and showed a particular talent for swimming. She broke many-a record and claimed the distinction of swimming across the Monongahela River. Her skills and love of the sport remained with her all her life.

After graduating from Brownsville High School, Norma headed to Detroit, Michigan to look for a job. She was following her brothers, who had purchased a Gulf Gas Station, and soon secured her own job. Landing a government job with Alcohol, Tobacco, Tax and Firearms proved to be a stable career move in more ways than one. There she met her future husband, a young man by the name of Orville Turner.

As their love grew, Norma and Orville made a commitment of marriage and pledged their vows on May 29, 1948 in Detroit. Over the years they would move to several major cities across the United States – Cincinnati, Detroit, Seattle, and San Francisco. Patty was born in 1950, Debbie in 1952, and Mary in 1956, and along with her active church life, Norma was also very invested in her daughters’activities. She was happy to continue her own mother’s family tradition of cooking wonderful Italian meals. There was something about her sauce that had a delicious flavor all its own, made from a recipe written only in Norma’s memory.

Norma worked as a legal secretary part-time, while her children were in school. One of her great interests had always been to earn a college degree. When she and Orv moved to San Francisco, she decided to do so. She earned an associate's degree in geriatrics, in addition to becoming a certified lifeguard and fitness and aquatic instructor. She was always exercising, whether she was swimming, walking, line-dancing or waltzing. Norma was enthusiastic about swimming and was especially eager to teach underprivileged children, as well as adults, how to swim. She gladly volunteered her time and experience because she was convinced of the value of health and exercise.

When Orville retired, they decided to move to Clearwater, Florida and kept up their active lifestyle including volunteering, playing golf, socializing with friends, traveling, and visiting their daughters in Michigan, New York, and Seattle. She continued to teach aquatic exercise, in both Kalamazoo and Clearwater, for a total of over 20 years. Sadly, Norma lost her beloved Orville in 1993, when he died suddenly of a heart attack at the age of 68. In her time of need, she found comfort and strength from her children and her faith. Her determination to continue on in life in the face of tragedy demonstrated her resilient nature. She overcame many tragedies and obstacles in life including open heart surgery, a major stroke severely affecting her ability to verbally communicate, and the early deaths of many of her friends.

Norma loved to be surrounded by her family and she was very proud of her daughters and grandchildren. She always encouraged her family to further their education, as this was of great importance to her. In addition to education, Norma loved to travel. Highlights of her traveling experiences included a journey to the Holy Land with her parish and a guided tour of Italy with her 3 daughters. Not only was this a memorable experience for them, it was the realization of her lifelong dream to take her daughters to the country of her ancestors.

With all her energy and love of people, it was understandable that Norma liked to entertain. She always managed to serve up a good meal. She included everyone in her joy for living, showing compassion and care to all around her.

In addition to her family and friends, Norma found encouragement in her faith and the lives of other people. She frequently said the rosary before mass and avidly read books, especially those that the Oprah Book Club recommended as inspirational.

Norma was a true inspiration in her own rite. Generations of her children will remember her spunk and her enthusiasm for life.

When Norma suffered a stroke several years ago, she recovered farther than expected, thanks to years of exercise and healthy habits. However, when she experienced a massive stroke at the beginning of July 2008, she did not recover. Norma Rose Turner died on July 6, 2008 in Kalamazoo, Michigan at the age of 81.

Norma’s family will miss her dearly and remember her with deep love and affection. They include her 3 daughters: Patty Turner of Swansboro, NC; Debbie (Steve) Giddings of Portage, MI and Mary (Scott) Pinger of Seattle, WA; 7 grandchildren; 3 great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband Orville Turner and by 3 siblings: Ernie, Edward and Lenore. Learn more about Norma, view her Life Story film, and share in some light refreshments with her family and friends on Monday from 6:00 – 8:00 PM at the Life Story Funeral Home, Betzler-Kalamazoo 6080 Stadium Drive, 375-2900. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Tuesday 10:30 AM at St. Augustine Cathedral. Following the mass, food and fellowship will be shared in the Cathedral Center. Please visit Norma’s personal web page at www.lifestorynet.com to archive a memory or photo of Norma, sign her memory book, or make a memorial contribution to the Arthritis Foundation.