Norma Jean Porter

"Good Morning Sunshine" was Norma's favorite greeting each morning. Her optimism and positivity was contagious, and no matter how gray the day, she remained upbeat and encouraging. After losing her Mother, Inez Faye Batchelor, at the age of 11, Norma always did her best with what she had. This sudden loss, and a series of other life struggles, challenged her and yet she always found the way to stay positive and keep working through it. She often said "when life gives you lemons, make lemonade". And she always tried to do just that. Her devotion to her father, John E. Batchelor, remained steadfast until his death at 78.

Norma Jean Porter, died Friday, December 3rd, 2021 but her gentle, kind and loving soul will remain in our hearts forever. She was the big sister to Robert Batchelor, and always had a special place in her heart for him and his entire family. As a hard-working single mother, Norma was proud of her children Kathy (Bob), Steven (Cathy) and Cindy. She adored her grandchildren and their life partners: Brian, Laurie (Dan), Jessica, Allison (Art), Sarah (Adam) and Emily (Jake) and Emma. Her great grandchildren, Jalen and Jason, nicknamed her "Gigi" and that term of endearment was quickly adopted by most in the family. She really looked forward to the blessing of more great grandchildren--as she was always delighted by babies!

For many years, Norma was Vice-President of Industrial Alloys, and for many years worked part-time as a bookkeeper for Flossmoor Station. Hard-working and sometimes a bit stubborn, she drove until she was 88 years old, and finally fully stopped work just last year at age 91. She loved to stay busy and feared idleness more than most. In her spare time she was an avid reader, visiting the library often, and loved crafting and creating memories in scrapbooks for her loved ones, most recently making a 3-volume scrapbook commemorating her granddaughter Ali's recent marriage to Art. Sometimes she would be up late in the night creating new scrapbook pages and often would sneak into the kitchen for a late night sweet. She also loved making and sending (many) cards to her family, veterans and residents in nursing homes. Earlier in life, she enjoyed some travel and her twice yearly trips to the casino--just for fun. When she couldn't visit the casino, she played games on her computer, despite how frustrating technology became for her!

At the beginning of the pandemic in 2020, Norma was diagnosed with breast cancer and underwent surgery. For 5.5 weeks she had to travel 70 miles round trip to the clinic, go inside all alone for radiation therapy, and she never, ever complained. (After all of those treatments, she even made cards for all of the staff there.) Complaining just wasn't her thing and tried to remain in the attitude of gratitude for every day she was given. However, she would become extremely impatient if she had to wait too long at the doctor's office or for anything, she just disliked waiting!

She was afraid to die, and hated getting older as her physical limits became more clear. Her body got tired but her mental acuity remained strong. But she is in a better place now, with her Mom and her Dad, and we know she will be smiling down at us through the big, fluffy, white cumulus clouds she loves on a sunny day or watching over us through the beautiful fall foliage. And we definitely know she will be surrounded by a lot of chickens, because she loved collecting them and as she aged, she loved holding them, particularly Charlotte. Until we meet again….

Goodnight Norma Jean. We love you beyond measure.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the American Breast Cancer Foundation in her memory. Private arrangements by Tews-Ryan Funeral Home in Homewood, with a Celebration of Life at the Flossmoor Station Restaurant on Saturday, December 11th from 1:00-3:00p. Please join us to share memories and celebrate her beautiful, full life.

To contact Cindy or for additional information contact Tews-Ryanfh.com or call 708-798-5300.