Norma POSS

17 FEB 1925 - 25 JAN 2016

• BIRTH: 17 FEB 1925, Burtch, Ontario, Canada
• DEATH: 25 JAN 2016, Elmhurst, DuPage, Illinois, USA

• MARRIAGE: 18 SEP 1954, St Joseph County, IN

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[N4731] Feb. 17, 1925 - Jan. 25, 2016
ELMHURST, IL - Norma Jean Zakrocki died Monday, January 25, 2016, in Elmhurst, Illinois, with her daughter by her side. Norma was born February 17, 1925, in Burtch, Ontario, Canada, to the late John Willard & Leta (Haviland) Poss. Norma is survived by daughter, Jill Kathleen, and grandson, Ben Panovich (Elmwood Park, IL); sisters-in-law, Mary (Keith) Poss, Scotland, Ontario, and Mildred (John) Poss, Wilsonville, Ontario. She was aunt to many nieces and nephews in Canada including Special Aunt to Joanne Riddolls, Paris, Ontario. She was also “other” mother to Tom Phillips, Wales, UK, and Susan (Phillips) Paul, Simpsonville, SC. Norma was preceded in death by her husband, Richard M. Zakrocki, her parents, sister, Kathleen Esther Riddolls, and brothers, John Haviland and Lyman Keith Poss.During World War II, Norma lived with her sister Kay in Brantford, Ontario. After the war, Norma immigrated to the United States. She met future husband Richard on a blind date arranged by lifelong family friend Arthur Eastman. On September 18, 1954, she married Richard at St. Stanislaus Church in South Bend. They were married for 48 years until his death in 2002. In April 1963, Richard and Norma purchased their home in South Bend's Bercliff Estates. Norma lived in the home on Oakcrest Drive until 2012 when she moved to Illinois to be closer to her daughter. Norma loved her home and neighborhood, especially the many wonderful neighbors she knew throughout the years. Norma was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of South Bend from October 4, 1953, until her death. Norma was a Deacon, Christian Education teacher, Youth Club Director as well as Women's Circle member. During her daughter's high school years, Norma also served as Donut Mom. She provided donuts & other breakfast snacks for the high school choir members Sunday mornings between choir rehearsal & the church service. Norma had a long working career as a Secretary/Administrative Assistant. She worked for Massey Ferguson in Ontario as well as McDonald Cook, Creative House and Homer Fitterling in South Bend. Norma retired from Indiana University at South Bend in 1995. She balanced home responsibilities with work before the term work/life balance was coined. With little support for working moms at that time, she and lifelong friend and fellow working mom Gwen Phillips formed their own support system. She was a graduate of Waterford High School. She became a Naturalized US citizen September 16, 1958. She will be remembered and missed by those who loved her as a sweet spirit, who was always ready with a smile and a kind word. Burial will follow at St. Joseph Cemetery. Published in South Bend Tribune on Jan. 29, 2016