Norma was born in Red Lion, Pennsylvania on January 24, 1925. She was born to Dary Feigler and Anna Poff Feigler in the home built by her grandfather. Norma liked to say that “there was nothing like growing up in a small town”. Norma was the second youngest of four sisters—Charlotte Geraldine, Bettie Jane, and Marion Elizabeth. After high school, Norma worked in a defense plant for the Navy during World War II, and then moved from her small town to Washington, DC. In Washington, Norma worked for the American Red Cross. While living in the “big city”, Norma attended a “Boy Meets Girl” dance and there she met her future husband, Francis Glenn Stuart.
Norma and Glenn were married on April 14, 1956 and celebrated 51 years of marriage before Glenn passed away in 2007. Norma and Glenn moved to Springfield, Virginia in 1958. Glenn and Norma had three children—Carol Diane Stuart (Michael Whiteman), Mark Wayne Stuart, and Anna Renee Stuart-Swann (William Swann). Norma has three grandchildren—Justen Travas Stuart, Brent Clay Wickline (Carol Wickline), and Hrothgar Stuart Whiteman. She also has an adorable great grandson—Carter Clay Wickline. Norma gained two more children and a granddaughter through Anna’s marriage to Will—Christine Swann, Tony Rose, and Hazel Lynn Rose. She is beloved by them all.
In 1961, Norma and Glenn joined Saint Mark’s Lutheran Church. Norma enjoyed her fellowship at Saint Mark’s and was involved in many aspects of church life, including the Eucharist guild, the crafters, the pray shawl knitters, the greeters, and the Food for Others team.
Here are just a few things that you may not know about Norma. Norma loved to sing and dance. Growing up she would sit around a warm stove in a cold kitchen, singing with her sisters. She sang all her life. She liked to jitterbug and to listen to big band music, and later on she came to love Motown and Disco music. Norma was a dedicated seamstress and for many years she sewed all of the clothing for herself and her daughters. Norma enjoyed doing crafts, including ceramics, crocheting, and cross-stitch. One of her favorite past-times was playing bridge, and she was an active and dedicated bridge club member for about the last fifty years. Norma’s most recent bridge club was at Springfield United Methodist Church, where she enjoyed many years of friendship.
When she retired from the American Red Cross, Norma left the “outside the home” workforce and devoted herself full time to raising her children. Norma’s family will always remember her sweet and easy-going demeanor. Her sister Bettie used to say, “If you can’t get along with Norma, you can’t get along with anyone.” At the same time, Norma was strong and steadfast in the beliefs and ideas that were most important to her. Norma became a ‘second mother’ for many of the neighborhood kids and remained interested in them throughout their lives. Norma was always there for her own children and grandchildren and was a willing participant in their many get-togethers and “shenanigans”. These included attending her first rock concert (The Eagles at the Verizon Center), sailing on her first ocean cruise, and traveling in a crowded van to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland—all while in her nineties!
Norma loved deeply and was deeply loved. While we take comfort in the knowledge that she is now at peace with her Lord, we will miss her greatly.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Saint Mark’s Lutheran Church in Springfield, VA or Food for Others in Merrifield, VA.
http://www.stmarks-elca.org/
https://www.foodforothers.org/
