Norma Louise Agnew
August 1, 1930 - December 31, 2021
The Sailor and His Anchor - Mom is gone, we sadly said. We’ve cried together and apart. Mom is gone and right now the pain is in our heart. Mom, you’re gone, but we know where. It isn’t very far. Jesus took you by the hand. In glory is where you are. Dad saw the glory on your face. “So beautiful,” he would say. Mom is gone, but we know she is just one breath away.
Norma Louise Kennedy was born August 1, 1930. She married Morris Wayne Agnew, both 17 years old, April 16, 1948. He was at home with her 73 plus years later when she passed through the veil. Do you appreciate the word “eclectic”? Then you would love Norma: wife, mother, grandmother, great Grandma Nor. As a child she was out licking the salt licks on the family farm. That didn’t define her, although it might be a hint to her longevity. At 91 she stepped out from here on New Year’s Eve, December 31, 2021, into the realms of glory.
Her middle name Louise means warrior, and that is what she was. She loved learning through so many ways: She always had a book to read of people and places. Reading was a challenge to her, but she would warrior through, and gained insight and knowledge. Even in her last days she would be reading the signs on the hospital room wall, logos on tee shirts, and even the label on her walker. She just wanted to know what was happening around her.
She and her sailor traveled through life and many ports: Their Scottish heritage took them to Scotland twice, Portugal, Spain, China, Egypt, Canada, many states, ...the list goes on. They loved Hawaii. Norma was even baptized in the Jordan River in Israel. And she loved archeology, participating in an archeological dig in California.
She kept up with what was happening with Hollywood stars. She loved art, dance (belly dancing and clogging, to name a couple styles), received rewards for some of her published photography, acted in local theater productions, and music that ranged from oldies like Marta, the Beetles, to Pavarotti, and everything in between. She wrote a couple children’s stories and was an elementary school teacher. She subbed in public schools as well as Stewart Indian School. She sang with Sweet Adeline’s and loved putting on her favorite music to sing and dance throughout the house. So, what was the most important thing to this eclectic mom? Her family. In her heart and soul, she was involved through every advance and challenge they had. At night she fell asleep praying for each one, and if she woke up in the middle of the night, she would pray some more. Two children, four grandchildren, seven great grandchildren, and a sprinkling of step grandchildren to round things out.
And then there was her sailor. She loved his eyes and smile. Eyes are the windows of the heart, and Jesus said the eye is the lamp of the body. He was a bit of a vagabond, and she was his anchor. They always took care of each other. She was real in all ways. So, what would she say to any reader now? Don’t let anyone else label you. Develop your own label and enjoy this life while getting prepared to step into the next. We miss you so much, Mom, but we know you are only one breath away. See you soon.