Norma Shear

Norma was born in Joliet, IL in 1946 to the late William Stanton Chaney and Ethel Marie Scotland Chaney. Norma was raised in Joliet, graduating from Joliet Township High School. She attended Southern Illinois University where she met her future husband, Herbert Shear. They married and had one son, Gerald Alan Shear, and together, they all moved to Pittsburgh, PA after graduating. She received her Masters degree in English in Pittsburgh, driving a Bookmobile and working in local libraries in her spare time.

Upon her divorce from Herb, Norma relocated to Raleigh, NC in 1981. She worked as a substitute teacher and was also an Elder Care Certified Instructor, working with older people who had disabilities. She loved her clients dearly. She appreciated the fine Arts, and made several pieces of jewelry, paintings, and hooked rugs. She loved her Raleigh home, and family members that lived there. She took care of her late mother and father when they moved to Raleigh in 1989.

Her center of pride and joy was her son, Gerry. She was so proud of him and never a day went by that she didn’t want to talk about him and the wonderful things he had done for her. She loved children, and was thrilled when Gerry met and married the love of his life, Jenny Jopalian Shear. They have twin boys Ethan and Samuel T., who absolutely made her life complete.

Later in Norma’s life, she had a decline in health and had to be hospitalized for treatment of her health issues. This never stopped her from keeping up with all the activities of her grandsons as Gerry and Jenny used video chat visits from the boys as well as family visits to Raleigh. Norma was a bright and shining star to all who knew and loved her.

Norma is survived by her son, Gerald Shear, and his wife, Jenny Jopalian Shear, of Las Vegas, NV; grandsons, Ethan and Samuel T. Shear; brother, Scott Clay Chaney; sisters, Karen Marie Kauffman Fletcher and Ruth Chaney Walker; and many loving nieces and nephews.

A Celebration of Norma’s life was held on Tuesday, August 3, 2021, at 4:00 p.m. in the Chapel of Mitchell Funeral Home, Raleigh. Contributions in Norma’s memory can be made to the camp she loved the most. She was a camp counselor at Camp Pinewood in the Chicago area. It was one of the happiest times of her life. Please use the link below.

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