Phyllis B. Norman

Phyllis Benzel Line Norman was born October 25, 1924 in Chicago, Illinois.  She was predeceased by her parents Philip James Line and Rose Mary Benzel Line, husband of sixty years Lester Ralph Norman and her dog Gracie.  At the time of her death, she was 93, still lived on her own with a sharp mind, did her own grocery shopping and drove her car.  She died peacefully in her sleep.  When she was 87, she was diagnosed with Stage 4 breast cancer.  She declined chemotherapy and radiation, and she was put on hospice.  Hospice eventually kicked her off as the cancer appeared to be gone.

During World War 2 she was a Cadet Nurse.  She met her husband of 60 years, Lester Ralph Norman, in Chicago at an amusement park when the ferris wheel needed 2 people to ride, not one, and he asked her to join him. They were married on September 8, 1945 in Evanston, Illinois, and moved to Los Alamos, New Mexico on February 28, 1946.  After Lester's retirement, they moved to Albuquerque and later to Rio Rancho.  They celebrated their 60th Anniversary in 2005.

She is survived by her 18 year old cat Lady, her brother Rial Line and her sister Ione, and her 3 exceptional children, 10 wonderful grandchildren and 20 even more fabulous great grandchildren:

Daughter Dr. Elizabeth Anne DeNiro (Paul Swetik), children Dr. Jennifer Edith DeNiro (Amanda Miller), great grandsons Rory and Darwin; Dr. Katherine Louise DeNiro-Perin (Benjamin) great grandson James.

Son Lester Ralph Norman, Jr. (Patricia Larrabee) children Bradley Carl (Amie Butkovich) and great grandsons Lucas and Joshua; Sharon Elizabeth (Dustin Randall) and great grandsons Evan and Davis; Bernadette Carol (Traeger Combs) and great granddaughters Evelyn and Clara; Tracy Norman (Kevin Hoff) children Robbie and Harper; Justin Norman (Amber) great grandchildren Skylar and Ryder; Britt Norman great granddaughter Alex.

Daughter Mary Carlson; children K. Perry Rutherford (Becky) and great grandsons Aidan and Christopher; Jessica Callico (Brian) and great grandchildren Haley, Joe, Tyson, and Camryn.

Phyllis was very active throughout her life in the Daughters of the American Revolution (State Regent, Chaplain, President of Officers Club and organizing Regent of the Valle Grande Chapter), Eastern Star (past Grand Representative, Grand Historian, and past Matron of Los Alamos Chapter #63).  Phyllis (and Lester) were good Methodists and were active in the church in Los Alamos, Albuquerque (Central), and Rio Rancho (High Desert).  She was also past president of the Los Alamos Historical Society and the Los Alamos Garden Club. Phyllis loved her climbing yellow and pink roses, purple irises, daisies, and her multiple fruit trees, especially the peaches from which she made delicious pies and jelly.

She will be remembered by her family for her terrific caramel cinnamon rolls and ginger cookies, and for the beautiful Christmas stockings she handmade for family members.