Ann Elise Buss

The early morning of Monday April 12, 2021 brought an end to the remarkable life of Ann Normyle Buss of Lynchburg, Virginia. Upon her passing she was no doubt greeted at Heaven’s gate by family members and friends who went before her. An epic reunion celebration began and likely continues today! Born in rural Wisconsin, Ann was the first of six children of John and Barbara Magnin. Growing up on the family Meadowbrook Farm certainly provided the playground and atmosphere that would shape her life. Her mother, Barbara, made sure that the family table was the center of the family experience. The family table would play an important role in Ann’s life, too, which was defined by love of family, friendships and adventure. The Valedictorian at Lena High School, Ann went on to graduate from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a Bachelor of Science in Home Economics and minor in Chemistry. Her home economics career began in Manitowoc, Wisconsin, where she met William (Bill) Normyle who in a short time would become her husband. Ann and Bill had six children (a daughter and five sons) and they called Wisconsin, Maryland, and New York home, before settling in Northern Virginia. While the schedule was always hectic, Ann made sure the family had dinner together every evening at the ever-expanding table. She was a master at creating recipes with whatever ingredients were available and making enough to ensure leftovers for the week. The Normyle clan often was found on, or in, any variety of sporting courts, fields and pools, likely driven there in either the white or red VW bus that fit all eight in the family (plus the dogs). Ann was the great cheerleader, uniform-maker and Team Mom for a year-round schedule of sports. In between swimming and baseball in the summers, Ann would pilot the VW to and from Wisconsin each summer or the beach with most if not all of the clan wedged inside the vehicle. The lesson we learned was that one should always make time for family, even if it involves a two-day drive, each way, to get there and home. Tragically, Ann lost her husband, William, in 1974, but like all of the challenges she faced in life, Ann relied on her faith and belief in the strength of family to move forward. She also worked hard, incredibly hard, to keep the household intact. When Bill died the three oldest children were in college while the next three were working their way through middle and high school. The headaches caused by the Normyle kids were legendary, but Ann masterfully coaxed and cajoled all through college--all six attaining at least a Bachelor’s degree. Failing to earn a college degree was never an option. She was a steadfast champion as well as motivator. Parallel to being the parent to all of us, she achieved great success professionally. Her career spanned nearly 30 years with stints with the American Home Economics Association and NASA. She also had a deep commitment to service and volunteered with her Churches and served in leadership roles in Master Gardeners and L’Arche. She was also an active member of a Book Club and Bridge Club once she moved to Lynchburg. She held many titles throughout her career, but she cherished these the most: Daughter, Sister, Wife, Mom, Aunt and Nana. Recall the family table she had meals as a young girl on the farm? She made sure that her table always had room for one more. All were welcome to come sit and enjoy a meal and likely a most lively conversation. Many a night one would find the table full and spirited. During a summer crab feast or winter card game she was not the center of attention, but the center of our universe. She shined through the smiles of the friends and family surrounding her. When Ann retired, she moved to Lynchburg, Virginia to be closer to her daughter and her family. She returned often to visit her family and friends in Alexandria and soon began talking about “Leo” and the dinners they shared together. “Leo” turned out to be Leo Buss, a friend of many years in the old neighborhood. To the delight of all, Leo and Ann were married in March of 1998 and enjoyed five years together of family gatherings, bridge, and domestic and international travel adventures before Leo died in March of 2003. Ann’s boundless energy fueled her love of travel. Traveling with a group of friends or her beloved, Leo, Ann cherished the art of discovery. She traveled to nearly all the states and continents. She often was planning the next trip on the way home from the current. Age did not slow her as she visited India and cruised the Danube during her 9th decade. Her zeal for travel and adventure was matched by her competitive spirit, especially in bridge and frankly any card game. You did not want to sit “down stream” from her to be the recipient of cards she discarded—being stingy was part of her competitive card-playing spirit. She also had no tolerance for the distractions cell phones posed during any games. Kids, grand-kids and great grand kids, nieces, nephews and friends galore, all took their turn at the card table. Most lost, some won, but all were richer for the experience and all were welcome at her table! Basically, what we are saying is that she was great. We miss her and we thank her for making it all possible Ann Elise Magnin Normyle Buss was 92 when she died after a long and rich life. She was the wife of the late Leo Buss and William Normyle and daughter of the late John Magnin and Christine Magnin. In addition to her husbands and parents she was preceded in death by a son, Pat Normyle, and brothers Casey, Dean and Glenn and sister, Janet, as well as sister-in-law, Mary, and brother-in-law, Paul. She is survived by her children, Mari Normyle and her husband Michael Bremer of Lynchburg, Michael Normyle and his wife, Heidi Baitz, of Vermont, Chris Normyle and his wife, Ebbie, of Lynchburg, Daniel Normyle and his wife, Susan, of Mount Vernon, and Dennis Normyle and his wife, Jennifer, of Maryland. In addition, left to celebrate her memories are her brother, Hugh, and his wife, Sharon, as well as her sisters in law, Carol Magnin and Mary Magnin, of Wisconsin; Tommy and Peggy Tramburg of Florida and Sharon Normyle of Richmond as well as 16 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren. A memorial service will be held on October 8th at 1PM at: First Christian Church, 3109 Rivermont Avenue, Lynchburg, Va. 24503 Internment of ashes will be held on Sunday October 10 at 1pm at: Mount Comfort Cemetery, 6600 S. Kings Hwy, Alexandria, Va. 22306 Contributions in Ann’s honor can be made to the Alzheimer’s Association or to a community organization of your choice.