Susan’s Aunt Norma passed away last week after a short battle with cancer. Her death was not a surprise, though it came a bit sooner than most expected, but her funeral was still an emotionally draining experience for the Kimball clan. We gathered in Portland Thursday night for the visiting hours at the funeral home, then at a church in South Portland, ME for the funeral. Norma’s obituary is here on the Portland Press Herald’s site.

I didn’t know her well. I’d seen her over the last several years at the holidays and Kimball family gatherings. She was friendly, outgoing, and quick to laugh and share a joke. I liked her. My most poignant memory of her is the eulogy she delivered at her Mother’s funeral last year. Norma and Susan’s Mother Linda each delivered a eulogy at the ceremony. Linda’s was the more polished, thoughtful eulogy, which given her career as a minister should surprise no one, but I was more moved by Norma’s deeply personal outpouring of affection and loss.

We were fortunate to have a chance to introduce Brady to her before her passing. I’ve posted a picture of that below.

Brady, Norma and Susan last month