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Mona Swanson-Norman Obituary
Mona Rae Swanson-Norman was born on March 30, 1946 in Turlock, Ca. She was the second of two children to Ray and Marguerite Flora, also of Turlock. She spent her childhood in Turlock and graduated in 1964 from Turlock High, with lifetime CSF honors.
She attended Merced Junior College for one year, and then began working for Beneficial Financial in Turlock. Shortly thereafter, Mona took a job transfer to Oahu, where she spent over a year.
Upon returning, she resumed her job in Turlock. In 1969, she married Jim Swanson of Hilmar, Ca. In 1971, the couple moved to Fresno. In 1976, their first daughter Kate Elizabeth was born, followed by Anna Christine in 1982. During those years, Mona continued to work at Beneficial and also completed a Bachelor's Degree in Liberal Studies at California State University, Fresno in 1993. They were married for 24 years. In 1998, Mona married Jon Norman of Oakland, Ca. Jon and Mona had been longtime childhood friends and even had a brief romance in post-high school years. Upon her retirement from Beneficial, she continued in the loan business by conducting loan mortgage closings for a variety of title companies in Fresno. On Wednesday, April 22, 2009, Mona's life was tragically cut short when she was hit by a drunk driver in Turlock, Ca. She was called home at the age of 63. She is survived by her husband, Jon Norman, age 64, of Fresno; daughters, Kate, age 32 of San Francisco, and Anna, age 27 of Fresno; mother, Marguerite Flora, age 89, of Turlock, Ca.; in-laws, Mel Norman, age 92 and Alice Norman age 90, of Oakland, Ca. She is preceded in death by her brother, Dennis Flora of Fresno, Ca. She was met in heaven by her father, Raymond Flora, age 95, of Turlock, Ca., on Thursday April 23, 2009. A Memorial Service will be held at Northwest Church, 5415 N. West Ave, Fresno, Ca., on Saturday, May 9, 2009, at 11:00 a.m. Memorials have been established with Mission Springs Conference Center www.missionsprings.com; Assistance League of Fresno www.alfresno.org; Parkinson's Foundation parkinson.org; and MADD www.madd.org.
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Memories and Condolences
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Earlene Carlson
May 2, 2022
When this came up on Facebook I just took pause to once again reminisce about my dear friend. Fourth of July at Mission Springs still feels wrong without my yearly catch-up with Mona. She will never be forgotten. It was a great joy to call her my friend.
Earlene Carlson
May 6, 2009
I met Mona back in the seventies through her sister-in-law and my friend Sharon Swanson Fuller. We would make our long road trip from Turlock to Fresno and stay the weekend.
I have so many fond and funny memories of Mona (The story about the ducks in her backyard)and her great laugh.
Sharon, Anna, Katie and Jon, I'm praying God will give each of you strength through this time of grief and also to her family and friends for this great loss of Mona and her father.
Renee' Pollard, Turlock, California
May 5, 2009
Marguerite Flora, Jon, Kate & Anna,
I was shocked and saddened to hear of your loss of Mona & Ray. Heaven has welcomed two very gifted people. I have fond memories of time together, many years ago. Charlotte Watkins Irving
Sarah Flora
May 5, 2009
I am so sad to lose Mona as a forever-giving and loving person in our family. Jon, I am so sorry that you cannot retire with your perfect match. Anna and Katie, I am so sorry that Mona is gone from your lives (in a body form.) Know that she will always be watching over both of you and be as close as she can, in spirit. She was a bright light in all of our lives.
Marianne (Speckens) Davis
May 3, 2009
Mrs Flora, Jon Kate & Anna,
I am heartbroken for your loss of Mona and her father. I know how devoted she has always been to her family.
Mona & I graduated from Turlock High School together, and even now those of us from the class of '64 are still such a strong network of people who cared for and appreciated the gift of being a part of each others lives. And without a doubt Mona was among the strongest and most memorable of all. When I picture her, its' not in the front row of the "pep rallies," it's in front of the front row. Cheering, laughing and cajoling others with her spirit.
I can't tell you how great it was to see her at the 40th reunion, hearing her laughter and strong voice sharing crazy stories about out past. Even things she hadn't shared with me back then.
I know your wonderful memories will get you through this difficult time. I'm sorry I won't be in California to meet you next week. But know that my thoughts are with you, and that I will be celebrating Monas' life. As well as her fathers'
Sue (Rasmussen) Jackson
May 2, 2009
I met Mona at summer camp at Mission Springs when we were in Jr Hi. Back in those days we wrote letters to each other, pages and pages. We kept contact with each other for 50 years. At the time we met I lived in Oakland and grew up with Jon in the Covenant Church there. Now I live in Orange Co. Last fall I went up to visit Mona. I was there only 24 hours. We had a quiet uneventful time together just visiting and reminiscing. At the time I felt it was worth the trip and now I think it even more. My memories of time spent with Mona are filled with laughter, loyalty and fun. She was always ready to gooooo.... wherever!
Anna, Katie, Sharon and Jon, I am praying for you and I have asked my friends to pray for your family. I love you all.
Leslie Doyle
May 2, 2009
Mona and I shared good times together cheering on our kids during the Malloch Elementary years. Anna and Susan spent a couple of summers together at Mission Springs. When my kids were ill it was Mona who always called the house to check on them and me. I will always remember her kindness and the way she put people at ease. We moved away years ago, yet this loss is far reaching. I am so sorry.
Earlene Carlson
May 1, 2009
I met Mona when we were kids at summer camp in Mission Springs. Those fun filled days turned into a life long friendship.
I can't imagine Fourth of July without Mona, I am really going to miss her.
Heaven has received a treasure.
My thoughts and prayers are with you Jon, Kate and Anna.
Earlene Carlson (Ripon, CA)
Melody Nelson-Zuidervaart
May 1, 2009
Mona and I grew up together, attending church and graduating high school in Turlock. My thoughts and prayers are with her family and friends at this time of grief. May God bless and comfort you.
Paul Griffith
May 1, 2009
I grew up across the street from the Flora family in Turlock. Mona Rae was ten years older, pretty, friendly- so of course I had a crush on her. I sometimes acted as go-between for her and Don Olson. I was ring-bearer in Dennis Flora's wedding in 1962(?). I'd love to find those pictures. The Flora family was always a steady presence in our neighborhood. I last saw Ray and Marguerite and Mona Rae together at Gordon Olson's funeral. I wish I had spent more time with them. Ray and Marguerite were such kind people. Mona Rae was so lovely and charismatic. I am so sorry for your losses. It just doesn't make any sense. Know that the Flora family will always be held dear by those who knew them.
Nancy Thomas-Goodman
May 1, 2009
Mona and I were classmates, graduating from Turlock High School in 1964. She was a beautiful, spirited, bright, generous, and fun-loving person. We last were all together to celebrate our 40th class reunion and it was obvious that Mona was just the same and more.
My heartfelt sympathy to her family and friends. May God's love guide you through the days ahead and bring you peace.
Liz Silva
April 30, 2009
I will miss seeing Mona everyday in our office. She and shared a love for Formula 1 auto racing and spoke about that during the racing season. She was a great sport (as we used to tease her mercilessly about various things) and always a bright part of my day. I keep expecting her to round the corner and endure my teasing. I will miss her so very much. My thoughts are with the family in this time of grief.
Patricia Atkinson(Gilmore)
April 30, 2009
Our most profound sympathies to you Katie, Anna and Jon; know that you are not alone in your grief as it is shared by the lives your beautiful mother and wife touched throughout the years. Having met Mona sporadically over the past 12 years and as the mother of two daughters myself, I know the love she had for you will never leave you, for it transcends all time and things. May the memories you hold dear provide you with some comfort in the days ahead and may God bless you with peace.
Love,
Pat & family
dan watkins
April 30, 2009
Jon, Kate and Anna my heart hurts for you. Mona was such a fun person to have known. Although I have not seen her in years I have great memories of time spent with her and the Flora family in Turlock. Dan Watkins (Glendora, Ca.)
Katrina Schafer
April 30, 2009
My thoughts and prayers go out to the family.
Mona use to come in to where I worked every morning with a friend and have coffee and play Dominos. She always had a smile on her face.
I am so sorry for your loss.
Lisa Morse
April 30, 2009
My thoughts go out to the family of such a wonderful woman and mother. I will keep you all in my prayers
Brenda (Flora) McDonald
April 30, 2009
Jon, Kate and Anna - I cannot begin to express how deeply sorry I am for your loss. My mother and I were with Mona just prior to her passing, as we visited together for some time with Aunt Marguerite and Uncle Raymond last Wednesday evening. We had a beautiful evening together, talking of family and feeling blessed by the love shared by Marguerite and Raymond in his final days as well. We were shocked to learn the next morning of what had occured after we had said our goodbyes the night before. You are in our prayers -
Amanda Ryan
April 30, 2009
Although I did not know Mona, I do know her daughter Anna. My deepest condolences to her and her family. It is clear that Mona was a wonderful mother, as Anna is a wonderful friend, and beautiful both inside and out.
With all my love Anna,
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