Norma Jeanne McCauley passed away peacefully while she slept in the early morning hours of July 17, 2018 in Overland Park, Kansas. She was born Norma Jeanne Messer to Sidney Lee Messer and Mary Magdalene Spandle Messer in Kansas City, Kansas on May 12, 1934. Norma attended St. Aloysius High School for Girls in Kansas City, Kansas. She married Thomas R. McCauley on June 6, 1953 and mourned his passing just short of their 52 year anniversary. She was a devoted wife, mother of three, grandmother of seven, and great-grandmother of six (soon to be seven).
She was known as Gram, Gammie, or Gigi depending on which of the little ones were enjoying her company. She enjoyed cooking, entertaining, and visiting with her many friends as well as her family. Aside from her devotion to family she loved playing the organ in church, beginning at the age of 17 at The Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Kansas City, Missouri. Her ability to create the music of a great cathedral in any church no doubt encouraged a higher than usual attendance, specifically during patriotic services, which she had a great passion for. Although modest with her talents it was clear she loved the compliments many parishioners gave her as they stopped by the organ after services.
In her later years she was involved with volunteer work with the Salvation Army and stayed current with her many grandchildren’s activities.
Survivors include her sons Thomas “Mike” and his wife Julia of Olathe, Kansas, Patrick and his wife Laurie of Grapevine, Texas, and daughter Julie and her husband Gregg Wiles of Olathe Kansas; grandchildren Ryan McCauley and his wife Megan of Bend, Oregon, Aimee Westerhaus and her husband Jeff of Prairie Village, Kansas, Jennie Harris of Lewisville, Texas, Matthew McCauley and his wife Kelsey of Prairie Village, Kansas, and Christopher McCauley, Samuel McCauley, and Zachary McCauley of Olathe, Kansas. Great Grandchildren Madison, Brian, Lily, Henry, Maeve, and Charles “Charlie” and a grandchild to arrive on or near the day of services. She is also survived by her brother, Fred Messer (Barbara) and her sister-in-law Martha Vogel (John), numerous nieces and nephews.
We take great joy in knowing she now joins those that have gone before her. Best friend and husband Tom (T.R.), her parents, Sid and Mary, her in-laws Joe and Genevieve, brother Sidney (Bud) and sister in law Norma Jeanne (NJ), as well as a wide variety of family and friends.
Rosary and Visitation: McGilley & Frye Funeral Home, 105 E. Loula Street, Olathe, Kansas from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, July 20th and services at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, July 21st. Burial will follow at Mt. Olivet Cemetery, 7601 Blue Ridge Boulevard, Raytown, Missouri.
Norma loved color and expressly requested that those who join us in celebration of her life share this love by wearing something other than black.
In lieu of flowers Norma asked for recognition of The Salvation Army in Olathe, Kansas (Kory Strand, Commanding Officer) and St. Paul’s Catholic Church (Father Michael Hermes).
