Obituary of Norma Gene Richter

MUNROE FALLS - Norma Gene Richter (Grissom), 79, passed away quietly in her sleep at home Wednesday evening. Wife, mother, grandmother, sister and friend, Norma leaves an empty spot in many lives. Born in Southern Illinois at the start of the Depression, Norma’s family moved to the Grissom Farm in Hudson Ohio in 1941. With eleven siblings and welcoming parents, the family was known to all. Norma became an RN at Mt. Sinai Nursing School in Cleveland with the assistance of her uncle, Max Friedman, and worked for many years as a surgical nurse at Akron City Hospital. She married her high school sweetheart, Thomas L. Richter and had two daughters, Nancy and Karen. Norma was an active volunteer for many organizations including Redeemer Lutheran School and the Red Cross. She and Tom loved to entertain, play games and have fun. Norma lost her husband early in life and became a very strong, independent woman. She was a beautiful seamstress and craft maker, with an eye to quality and detail. Norma was also an avid gardener, sports fan and reader. She created beauty, cheered every game in March Madness and could converse on nearly any topic. Norma will be missed by many including her daughters Nancy (Greg) Currie of Leroy, OH, and Karen (Andrew) Coster of St. Albans, U.K.; her grandson Matthew Coster; her sisters and brothers, Peg Clewell, John (Helen) Grissom, Jim (Elaine) Grissom, Don (Marilyn) Grissom, Jack (Nancee) Grissom, Jerry (Peggy) Grissom, Sandy Skinner, Marjie (John) Origlio, Debbie Grissom and brother-in-laws George Thomas and Patrick McGrath. She was preceded in death by her parents, Paul and Leah (Lay) Grissom; her husband Tom; and her sisters Sue Thomas and Alice McGrath and brother-in-law, Ritchie Clewell. Norma leaves behind over 50 nieces and nephews with assorted spouses and children who were all important to her. Over the past year, Norma received exceptional treatment from many kind professionals.  Donations in Norma’s memory may be made to the Jean & Milton Cooper Cancer Center at Summa Health System or to Hospice of the Western Reserve. Friends are invited to Redmon Funeral Home for visitation Sunday 2 to 4 PM, where Rick Grissom will conduct service Monday 1 PM. Interment Northlawn Memorial Gardens.