Norma De Bettencourt

1935 - 2018

NORMA DE BETTENCOURT Norma "Nonie" Madeleine Williamson de Bettencourt, age 83, passed away surrounded by family in Paradise, California, on November 4, 2018. Nonie was born in Carmel, California on April 15, 1935 to John D. Williamson and Madeleine A. Dumontier Williamson. She graduated from College of the Holy Names where she majored in liberal arts and minored in music. She played cello in the college symphony. Nonie married Thomas de Bettencourt on May 3, 1958 and raised five children. Nonie never tired of adventure. She and Tom lived in Germany, California, Hawaii, and the Philippines with their ever growing family. She enjoyed teaching young children and taught elementary school for many years. Upon retiring from teaching, she pursued a successful sales career. An accomplished cellist, Nonie played in the Paradise Symphony Orchestra. She had many cello students and often played cello at her local parish. Nonie always had animals in her life. She loved riding horses from a young age and there was often a favorite dog or cat by her side. She was a generous host who opened her home to exchange students and enjoyed trying out new recipes for family and friends. An optimist at heart, she had a knack for seeing the best in others. Nonie firmly believed that with God all things are possible and this animated everything she did. Wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, daughter, aunt, and friend, she inspired and encouraged those close to her with her deep faith, generous spirit, and irrepressible energy. She will be sorely missed by all who loved her. Nonie is survived by her husband of 60 years, Thomas de Bettencourt; her five children: Michael deBettencourt (Lia), Mark deBettencourt (Ann), Stephen deBettencourt (Audrey), David de Bettencourt (Sujita), Noreen Searls (Kevin); seven grandchildren: Thomas deBettencourt, Emilia deBettencourt (Charles Knipper), Dominic deBettencourt, Catherine deBettencourt, Oliver deBettencourt, Nolin Searls, Renae Searls; two great-grandchildren: Sophie de Bettencourt, and Sadie deBettencourt; and her sister Jeanne White (Lynn). She was preceded in death by her grandson Jon-Michael de Bettencourt and her brothers John Williamson, Gerald Williamson, Daniel Williamson, and Lawrence Williamson. A Funeral Mass will be held on Saturday, November 10, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Thomas More Catholic Church in Paradise. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the following: St. Thomas More Parish Paradise Hospice House Paradise Symphony Orchestra