Norma Kalnin

Norma Crews Kalnin passed away peacefully in hospice care on April 15, 2023. Born as Norma Elizabeth Crews on August 6, 1926, she was the third of four daughters born to Noah and Mary Crews of Glynn County, Georgia. Along with her sisters and adopted younger brother, her family lived in a small home by the marsh on Blythe Island before moving to the nearby town of Brunswick where she graduated from Glynn Academy High School. Later, she met George Kalnin, Jr., a sailor and pilot attached to the blimp squadron based at Naval Air Station Glynco whom she married in 1952. Life as a military family included postings in Elizabeth City, NC and South Weymouth, MA before moving back to Brunswick in 1959. Following George’s retirement from the Navy, the young family moved to Tampa, FL before building a home across the bay in Safety Harbor, FL in the mid-1960’s where they raised their three children.

A sleepy little town at the time, Norma’s life in Safety Harbor revolved around kids, school, friends in their close-knit neighborhood and long-time membership at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in nearby Clearwater. She also enjoyed gardening, volunteering as a poll worker with the League of Women Voters and entertaining with food prepared by the Kalnins routinely being served at neighborhood and church events.

Soon after her children were on their own and becoming a widow, Norma moved to the Regency Oaks independent living facility a few miles away and enjoyed an active life-style with many new friends. During those years, Norma frequently traveled within the United States and abroad, most often with Libby Neale, her friend since childhood. The two ladies’ adventures included trips to Greece, Turkey, Russia, Gibraltar, Spain and Portugal.

Norma is survived by her son George and daughter-in-law Kathy of Roswell, GA; daughter Linda Houser and son-in-law John of Safety Harbor, FL; son Jim and daughter-in-law April of Wacissa, FL; grandson Tim Kalnin with wife, Carolyn and great-grandson, Will, of Decatur, GA; grandson Johnny Houser of Safety Harbor, FL; granddaughter Mary Saussy with husband, Mark and great-grandson, John, of Palm Harbor, FL; granddaughter Tiffany Evans with husband, Tyler, and great-granddaughter, Lainey, of Lamont, FL; and grandson Garrett Kalnin of Tallahassee, FL; in addition to her sister Jackie Brand of Brunswick, GA and much loved nieces, nephews and extended family members too numerous to list here. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that donations may be made to Suncoast Hospice NPCC at 164 W. Lake Rd. in Palm Harbor, FL 34684.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.sylvanabbey.com for the Kalnin family.