Obituary for Nancy Frances Norman
Nancy Frances Norman was born June 13, 1938, Fort Sill, OK. She was the first of five daughters of James Clayton Norman and Vandalia (Mott) Norman. Nancy joined her loving parents in the heavenly balcony on November 5, 2022.
Growing up in a military family afforded a wide variety of experiences. They were stationed in Abilene/Camp Barkley, TX and Lawton/ Fort Sill, OK, but it was during their time in Straubing and Stuttgart Germany that Nancy began a lifelong devotion to the piano, and learned to play the accordion as well. When they returned to the states Nancy attended high school and graduated as co-valedictorian from St. Mary’s Catholic School in Lawton, OK. The Normans then moved to San Antonio, TX where Nancy worked as a clerk typist at Fort Sam Houston and met her future husband Lawrence Bischoff.
They married, lived in Connersville, IN and there gave life to wonderful children: Ann, Laura and James. In Indiana she served as organist for St. Gabriel Catholic Church. She enjoyed gardening as well as supporting the Farm Bureau organization’s Pet and Hobby show and the Zinnia flower contest at the Fayette County Free Fair. Although the union ended her love remained strong for her family.
Nancy is survived by Ann Carpenter, Laura Bischoff and James (Jeanette) Bischoff; grandchildren Ryan Carpenter, Kayla Carpenter (Nate Baxter), Maggie (Shane) Toombs; Macy Hardwick (Jalen Christian-Moss) and Tanner Hardwick; Benjamin, Emily, Lillie, Alexa and Nicholas Bischoff; and great grandchildren Blair and Bailey Baxter. Additional survivors include devoted sisters Mary Green, Ruth Boward, Jane Didear (Jeff Barov) and Judy Brockert, and many nieces and nephews.
Over Nancy’s eight decades she learned, served and grew. Her meticulous dedication to words and their meanings prepared her for years of proofreading at what was then the Lawton Constitution and Morning Press, while Paul McClung was editor. She served as the primary organist for services of all faiths at Fort Sill Old Post Chapel and was considered a friend and colleague of the chaplains and chaplains’ assistants there. Nancy also accompanied many high school and college students performing in competitions, and was happy to be the organist for weddings. An especially versatile pianist, she worked for a number of years at Shakey's Pizza Parlor in Lawton, sometimes surprising folks with her lively accordion playing.
Nancy enjoyed her college botany classes and excursions in the Wichita Mountains. She loved walking the beaches at the Texas Gulf Coast and visited as often as she could. She completed her nursing certification, graduating from Cameron College in Lawton, and worked at both Hermann Hospital in Houston and as a personal care nurse to a number of patients. She was a voracious reader of eclectic interests, including religion, anthropology, history, psychiatry, biography, and true crime. Her daily habits involved crossword puzzles or word games as well. She often wrote notes about what she was reading, seeing on TV, or listening to on the radio.
Nancy’s meal menus, cooking and baking skills were heralded from Indiana to Texas; her recipes ( as well as other articles) were covered in Indiana regional publications. Her personal collection of cookbooks was extensive. And she loved watermelon! Especially in her final years any day, any time, any season - that’s what she wanted to eat.
For many of us our favorite memory will be singing and dancing to the tunes she played whether classical, romantic, patriotic, spiritual, or music for a teddy bear’s picnic. She had something for everyone including her mother’s frequent request, the Fairy Wedding Waltz.
All are encouraged to think of Nancy’s joy in life by enjoying music of their choice. The family will schedule a future event to gather in her honor.
Growing up in a military family afforded a wide variety of experiences. They were stationed in Abilene/Camp Barkley, TX and Lawton/ Fort Sill, OK, but it was during their time in Straubing and Stuttgart Germany that Nancy began a lifelong devotion to the piano, and learned to play the accordion as well. When they returned to the states Nancy attended high school and graduated as co-valedictorian from St. Mary’s Catholic School in Lawton, OK. The Normans then moved to San Antonio, TX where Nancy worked as a clerk typist at Fort Sam Houston and met her future husband Lawrence Bischoff.
They married, lived in Connersville, IN and there gave life to wonderful children: Ann, Laura and James. In Indiana she served as organist for St. Gabriel Catholic Church. She enjoyed gardening as well as supporting the Farm Bureau organization’s Pet and Hobby show and the Zinnia flower contest at the Fayette County Free Fair. Although the union ended her love remained strong for her family.
Nancy is survived by Ann Carpenter, Laura Bischoff and James (Jeanette) Bischoff; grandchildren Ryan Carpenter, Kayla Carpenter (Nate Baxter), Maggie (Shane) Toombs; Macy Hardwick (Jalen Christian-Moss) and Tanner Hardwick; Benjamin, Emily, Lillie, Alexa and Nicholas Bischoff; and great grandchildren Blair and Bailey Baxter. Additional survivors include devoted sisters Mary Green, Ruth Boward, Jane Didear (Jeff Barov) and Judy Brockert, and many nieces and nephews.
Over Nancy’s eight decades she learned, served and grew. Her meticulous dedication to words and their meanings prepared her for years of proofreading at what was then the Lawton Constitution and Morning Press, while Paul McClung was editor. She served as the primary organist for services of all faiths at Fort Sill Old Post Chapel and was considered a friend and colleague of the chaplains and chaplains’ assistants there. Nancy also accompanied many high school and college students performing in competitions, and was happy to be the organist for weddings. An especially versatile pianist, she worked for a number of years at Shakey's Pizza Parlor in Lawton, sometimes surprising folks with her lively accordion playing.
Nancy enjoyed her college botany classes and excursions in the Wichita Mountains. She loved walking the beaches at the Texas Gulf Coast and visited as often as she could. She completed her nursing certification, graduating from Cameron College in Lawton, and worked at both Hermann Hospital in Houston and as a personal care nurse to a number of patients. She was a voracious reader of eclectic interests, including religion, anthropology, history, psychiatry, biography, and true crime. Her daily habits involved crossword puzzles or word games as well. She often wrote notes about what she was reading, seeing on TV, or listening to on the radio.
Nancy’s meal menus, cooking and baking skills were heralded from Indiana to Texas; her recipes ( as well as other articles) were covered in Indiana regional publications. Her personal collection of cookbooks was extensive. And she loved watermelon! Especially in her final years any day, any time, any season - that’s what she wanted to eat.
For many of us our favorite memory will be singing and dancing to the tunes she played whether classical, romantic, patriotic, spiritual, or music for a teddy bear’s picnic. She had something for everyone including her mother’s frequent request, the Fairy Wedding Waltz.
All are encouraged to think of Nancy’s joy in life by enjoying music of their choice. The family will schedule a future event to gather in her honor.