Dates
San Angelo
Mary Norma Basquez, our beloved mother and grandmother, passed away at her residence on Thursday Dec. 24, 2015.
Norma was born Aug. 24, 1933, in San Angelo, Texas, to Adolpho and Minnie Valdez. She attended local schools and attended the two-year San Angelo College. Norma graduated with an Associate's Degree in Business. She married Jimmy "Chick" G. Basquez on July 14, 1962. She started her career at General Telephone Company and eventually Norma retired from GTE Data Services in 1990. She worked for them for over 30 years in various jobs related to computer programming and finally as an administrative payroll clerk.
Mom loved all sorts of flowers and gardening, reading romance novels, watching Dallas Cowboys football and anything Elvis Presley. She enjoyed watching a novella or two and shows like Dancing with the Stars and America's Funniest Home Videos, which she found very amusing.
Norma was preceded in death by her husband, Jimmy Basquez; father and mother Adolpho and Minnie Valdez; and brother Willie Valdez.
Norma is survived by her two daughters, Kay Manera and husband John and Audra James and husband Ron; and two sons, Jimmy Basquez and wife Lisa and John Paul Basquez. She is also survived by sisters Ida Martinez, Catherine Valdez of San Angelo, Texas, and Ella Mae Guarjado of San Diego, California.
Mom was a loving, caring and proud grandmother who loved spending time with her grandchildren, watching them play baseball, basketball and singing in choirs. She would do anything for her grandchildren Michael Manera, Yevonne Manera, Kyrstan McNeal, Evie Basquez, Kelsey Basquez, Emily Basquez, Mekynsi Manera and Ava James. Many cousins, nieces and nephews also survive her.
Mom was a quiet person who was a little hard to get to know. Overall, the shyness masked kindness, strength, perseverance, tenacity and romanticism. She had a big heart and did many kind things for her children and grandkids. Her generosity knew no bounds. We will remember the before school blessings on our foreheads as we walked out the door and the Sunday night hair washing in the kitchen sink as a sign of our mother's love. She had a quiet strength about her; however, she was also fondly known as "Stormin' Norman" when behaviors needed adjusting. She filled our hearts with love, laughter and warm memories for which we are forever grateful. We will miss her dearly. Thanks Mom, for all you did for us. We love you forever - your kids and grandkids.
The family wishes to thank the Dr. John Granaghan, NP Gloria Dienart, Dr. Brian Bradley, Dr. Samuel Kasberg, Encompass Home Health and their numerous staff members in physical, occupational and nursing disciplines that assisted mom. A special thanks goes to all the caregivers that took care of mom during her long battle with Lewy-Body Dementia - Nicole Velez, Molly Riley, Norma Martinez, Natalie DeLeon, Shawna Hattchett, Jolissa Payne, Kori Kappelmann, Eliza Arrellano, Noelia Martinez, Cynthia Vargas, Teah Feemster, Rose Silva and the Hospice Of San Angelo (HOSA) Staff for taking care of Mom during her final days.
Rosary will be held at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 29, 2015, in Johnson's Funeral Home chapel. Funeral Mass will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 30, 2015, at Holy Angels Catholic Church, followed by burial in Fairview Cemetery in Bronte, Texas. Arrangements are under the direction of Johnson's Funeral Home