My Aunt Norma

My Aunt Norma passed away on Friday. She was actually my Great Aunt, but I feel like all of my Grandma's siblings are closer than Greats - they are just my Aunts and Uncles. I am so lucky to have them all in my life. My Aunt Norma was an AMAZING woman. I always loved bragging about her when I was younger - well, I guess I still do because I am going to right now! :)

Aunt Norma was a deep sea diver, she held the world record for the deepest dive by a woman for many years. She was also in some of the old "B" Movie horror films, like "Phantom from 10,000 Leagues" - she was the person inside the big monster suit coming out of the ocean!

My family owes most of our family vacation memories to Aunt Norma and Uncle Al. They kept a house on Catalina Island and let family schedule a time to stay there every year.

One experience that is special to me happened on my 16th Birthday. I was born on the same day as my Aunt Diane. My 16th Birthday was the same year as her 60th. Aunt Norma and Uncle Al came out to Utah to celebrate Aunt Diane’s 60^th Birthday. We told them that they didn’t need to get me a present because we never exchanged birthday presents with them, but Aunt Norma had my Grandma take her to the mall, just to get me something small. Grandma was really surprised when Aunt Norma walked over to the fine jewelry counter and picked out some 14 karat gold hoop earrings. She told me when I thanked her for the gift that every 16 year-old girl should have some gold. I felt so mature when she told me that! I still have and treasure those earrings.

I am really going to miss my wonderful Aunt Norma! She really knew how to make people feel loved and important.