Arvada Sunrise Rotary and Apex- Honor a Senior

Senior Nomination: Tuesday, August 10, 2010, 7:10 am

Name: Norma Brown

Today we honor Norma Brown as our Senior Hero. Norma was born in 1924 in Paoli, Pennsylvania. She and her sister were raised in Glenside, a suburb of Philadelphia. Her dad was a signal man for the railroad and her mom was a housewife. Norma made some of her best and lifetime friends in Glenside; as she still stays very connected to a group of about 15 girls that were all in first grade together. Most of these ladies have lived to enjoy 80 years of friendship. They often host reunions to get everyone back together.

After high school Norma worked at a bank and for the railroad, then enlisted in the Navy at age 20 where she served as a Yeoman for two years. She was stationed in Idaho, and met her husband while with the Navy. She was married in 1947 and they moved to Farmingdale, New York. Norma had a variety of jobs primarily in accounting and as a controller. They had a son, Doug, in 1955 who later attended college in Colorado where he met his wife Heidi. Norma and her husband visited Colorado regularly to see Doug and his family. In 1987, when their grandson Danny was just 2, they moved to Colorado. With their son they opened and ran the Packing Store at 64^th and Ward for many years. After 53 years of marriage Norma’s husband passed in 2000.

When asked what Norma attributes her longevity to, she replied, good genes, home cooking instead of fast food, and a little gin and orange juice. Norma attributes her positive outlook to her father who always said, “Life is a bowl of cherries.” Music was always a big part of her life, whether dancing, listening, or playing the organ. Norma also enjoys swimming, gardening, reading, putting puzzles together and knitting. The Community Recreation Center has the privilege of having Norma’s optimism as she serves as a front desk receptionist, where she has provided more than 458 hours of service over the past three years. Norma loves to be with other people and her outgoing personality is an asset to our Center.

Norma’s philosophy of life is to enjoy everything and respect everyone. When you see her smile and share a laugh you know Norma lives her beliefs.