"What a gal Norma was. We were blessed to work with her at Blessing. Always sharp, always snappy! Bob & Ann Dickson"
In loving memory of
Norma Gorman
November 7, 1914 - January 9, 2021
Norma Ellene (Laney) Gorman, 106, of Quincy died peacefully on Saturday, January 9, 2021 at Good Samaritan Home.
Norma was born on November 7, 1914 in Cook Station, Missouri, the first child of Ernest and Docia (Mahuran) Laney. She married Wayne Gorman in Yuma, Arizona on April 7, 1935. He preceded her in death in 1976. They had two children Dennis (Barbara) Gorman of Quincy and Carol (Gregory) Alster of Morton, Illinois.
She had six grandchildren: Brett (Deborah) Gorman, Wendy (Timothy) Koontz, Lane (Hope) Alster, Lance (Margaret) Alster, Leah Alster, and Richard (Andrea) Alster. She had eleven great grandchildren: Megan (Jackson) O'Connor, Madelyn (Matthew) Dean, Alice Gorman, Katherine Gorman, Anne Gorman, Madelyn Alster, Thomas Alster, Chloe Alster, Mina Alster, Isla Alster, and Cruz Thompson.
In addition to her husband, Norma was preceded in death by three younger brothers and their wives: Vencent (Helen) Laney, Max (Mary) Laney, and Jimmie (Lucille) Laney. Her grandson Brett Gorman also proceeded her in death.
Norma attended elementary school in a one room schoolhouse in Cook Station and traveled fifteen miles by train to attend high school in Steelville, Missouri. She convinced her parents to allow her to stay in Steelville during the week because the train was often late causing her to be tardy. She was the only member of her immediate family to graduate from high school. Education was important to her and she was determined that her two children would graduate from college.
As a Navy wife Norma lived her early married years in Long Beach, California. Prior to WWII she and her husband moved to St. Louis, Missouri where they lived until moving to Quincy in 1949. Her faith was a major part of who she was. When she moved to Quincy she became a member of what is now Faith Presbyterian Church where she served for the rest of her life.
At age seventy, after twenty-five years of service Norma retired from Blessing Hospital where she had served as Director of Admitting and Information. She was an active volunteer supporting her children's activities at both church and school. For more than fifty years she was a member of the Order of Eastern Star.
Norma enjoyed spending quality time with her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She shared her Christian values with them by her example. She loved to travel. She had the opportunity to travel abroad visiting the Holy Land, Greece, Spain and Austria.
Because of the pandemic there will be no visitation or services in Quincy. A family graveside service will be held at the cemetery in Wesco, Missouri near her childhood home.
Memorials: Faith Presbyterian Church (1027 South 24th Street, Quincy, IL 62301) or The Blessing Foundation (4939 Oak Street, Quincy, IL 62301). Memorial donations may be made online at https://memorials.hansenspear.com/
The family would like to thank the staff of Good Samaritan Home for the kind treatment Norma received during her residency there.
www.hansenspear.com
Hansen-Spear Funeral Directors are handling arrangements.
Tributes
"So sorry to hear this she was a cherished neighbor of mine I lived on 11 adams & often visited with her as she passed by on her walk to meet another great neighbor as they made their way to South Park Rest In Peace Ms Norma Also she would tell of her trips to the ozarks with her family which she adored them all & she would drive there. Georgie Aschemann "
"Carol, so sorry to hear of your mother's passing. I remember her well from Cook Station and how we had to talk her into letting us drive the car--all the way to the train Bridge. She had a good long run! Prayers to your family. Linda Hogue Buckingham "