Norma Killian

Norma Ann (Simmons) Killian peacefully passed away surrounded by loved ones late on Sunday, Novembr 29, 2020, at the age of 91 in New Braunfels, Texas.

Norma was born in Long Branch, New Jersey, to her beloved parents William and Mary Simmons. She grew up on the Jersey Shore and in Englewood, New Jersey, modeling and helping with her father’s stationary business. She went on to St. Cecilia’s HS in Englewood, NJ, where she was a proud student in Vincent Lombardi’s chemistry class. She graduated from Keystone Junior College and was a member of Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society.

Norma married her husband, John Gregory Killian in 1951. They settled in Emerson, NJ where they lived a blissful 31 years together until his untimely death in 1982. She subsequently met Emil Crippa, who was her loving partner for 25 years until his death in 2008.

Norma had a fulfilling career with the former New Jersey Bell and Bell Atlantic for 25 years as a Service Representative, Supervisor and Trainer. She was a lover of travel, fine arts, Broadway shows, football, baseball, and museums. She was a resident of Emerson, NJ for 56 years and a devout member of the Church of the Assumption.

She was predeceased by her brother, William Simmons and is survived by her devoted daughter, Patricia Ann (Killian) Vesperman and her loving granddaughter, Kathryn Rose Vesperman. The family will receive their friends at Becker Funeral Home, 219 Kinderkamack Road, Westwood, NJ on Thursday, December 10 from 4-8PM. The Funeral Mass celebrating Norma's life and faith will be held at Church of the Assumption, Emerson, NJ on Friday, December 11 at 10AM. Interment will follow at Mt. Carmel Cemetery, Tenafly, NJ. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in memory of Norma to the St Joseph’s Home for the Elderly (140 Shepard Lane Totowa NJ 07512, www.littlesistersofthepoortotowa.org