Norma Robinson

Norma Olive Robinson, 90, of Decatur, died peacefully in her sleep at 2:45 a.m. on Wednesday, October 17, 2012, at Heartland Health Care Center in Decatur. Services will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, October 20, 2012, at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, Decatur, with visitation beforehand from 9-10 a.m. at the church. Burial will be at Calvary Cemetery, Decatur. The Brintlinger and Earl Funeral Home will be handling arrangements. Norma was born December 27, 1921, in Springfield, Illinois, and lived in Pleasant Plains, near Springfield, until she moved with her family to Decatur when Norma was five years old. Norma was the fourth of six daughters born to Frank and Gertrude Schlemm Young. Norma graduated from St. James grade school and Decatur High in 1939. Most of Norma's professional life was spent working for Millikin Bank, first as a secretary in the real estate loan department and later as an exchange and collections teller. Norma worked at the bank for 25 years and really enjoyed meeting new people and the camaraderie of her regular customers and co-workers. She made many friends there. Norma had a fun, light spirit, always ready for adventure of any kind. It showed early when she graduated from high school and begged her parents to let her travel alone by train to visit relatives in Idaho. Norma managed to extend a two-week trip into a whole summer, visiting relatives around the country on a Wabash family railroad pass and having a great time. Norma was a charter member and actor with Decatur's original Little Theatre in the early 1940s and later was a member of the Pandora Players troupe, which had open-air theaters in Blue Mound and Arthur, Illinois, where they put on plays weekly. Norma loved the hustle and bustle required for the open-air summer stock theaters: building sets, learning lines for one play while putting on another, taking money before the shows and breaking down sets every night before going home to get up and work at the bank the next day. She had many fun stories about the theater and her acting years, which lasted until she had her second child. Norma met the love of her life, Harry W. Robinson, when she sang in the church choir at St. James. She was an alto, he a bass, so he stood behind her as they sang. Harry was a widower with three girls, whom Norma loved as dearly as her own. Norma and Harry married October 2, 1954, had four more children, and were married for just over 50 years. Norma and Harry shared a love of travel. After honeymooning in Mexico, they took their kids on adventures with them, eventually traveling all over the 50 U.S. states, almost all of Canada and much of Mexico. Later in life, Norma enjoyed visiting Europe with her sisters, whom she adored. Very prominent in Norma's life was her love of poetry, which she shared with her father. At 10 years old, she recited "The Children's Hour" in school and after that soaked up poetry of all kinds. She could offer a poem or ditty or song for any and all occasions. Even on the day before her death, she was still reciting poetry she had learned 80 years ago. Norma's adventures include rides in hot air balloons, glider planes and the front seats of tall roller coasters, with her arms straight up in the air. Along with acting, singing and traveling with family, Norma also enjoyed bowling and volunteering. Besides her volunteer efforts during World War II, Norma was involved with Legion of Mary, Catholic Daughters of America, Meals on Wheels, Good Samaritan Inn and being an elections judge. Norma may best be remembered for her deliberately optimistic outlook, as she felt that dwelling on troubles wasn't helpful. Her sunny spirit and deep, fierce love for her family and friends will always be cherished and appreciated. She loved life in a big way, and soaked it all up with gusto, even to her last day. Norma is survived by her stepdaughters Marilyn Robinson of Suffolk, VA; Linda (Jerry) Riley of San Diego, CA; Lois (Dan) Gregory of Decatur, AL; and children Janina Robinson of Decatur, IL; Marty (Lynne) Robinson of Greensboro, NC; Andy (Christy) Robinson of Denver, CO; and Nancy Robinson of Decatur, IL. Norma dearly loved and enjoyed the time spent with her eight grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren, along with several dozen nieces and nephews. Norma was preceded in death by her parents, her five sisters, Gertrude Anarta Young; Bernice (Dan) McManus; Patricia (James) Galligan; Mary Frances (James) Stowell; Ursula (Darrell) Beck; and her husband, Harry. Her family especially offers heartfelt thanks to those who cared for Norma in the last several years: Dr. Greg Totel and staff for their many years of fine care; Dr. Tony McCormack and Terri Soper P.A.; everyone at Keystone Meadows Assisted Living; and all the great staff at Heartland Health Care Center. Memorials may be made to the Good Samaritan Inn, Decatur, www.GoodSamaritanInn.org. "
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