Norma Joan Pembleton

Norma Joan Pembleton was born Aug. 30, 1927, to Michael Kuhl and Mary Tucker of Osmond, Nebraska. She was the beautiful baby sister to 10 doting siblings. She claimed that her sisters named her, joking that her parents likely "ran out of names after the first 10 children."

It is said that she was named Norma after the girls' favorite movie star of the time, Norma Shearer, and Joan after one of history's strongest female warriors, Joan of Arc.

At 6 years old, Norma and her family moved to Sioux City, Iowa. Although young, she fondly remembered her father reading stories and poems and playing dress-up with her older sisters' clothing.

The Kuhls moved west to California in 1941 when Norma was 14 years old, where poodle skirts, oxford saddle shoes, and sweaters were the fashion of the day. She thrived in school with her love of writing, drama class, and public speaking. She also played volleyball and frequently served as the hall monitor, which was quite the honor.

As a teenager living in Los Feliz, California, Norma dreamed of being a stewardess, though she had never been on a plane. Shortly after moving to California, she began working part-time at Woolworth's. She spent her money on clothes and movies, and after high school, she loved working as a bookkeeper at a shoe store on Hollywood Blvd. She then went on to work at Greene-Haldeman Chrysler as a contract clerk. She regaled her family with the story of the famous Peter Lawford, whom she went on a date with after he purchased a convertible off the lot. But just as dismissively, she mentioned he was a total "nerd" and was really "very impressed with only himself."

She recalled briefly dating a Navy guy, a Marine, and, finally, her lifelong partner in Army Air Corps man, Robert (Bob) Pembleton.

They met while Norma was on a work break listening to the radio in one of the used cars on the Chrysler lot. Ever the romantic, Norma recalls Bob first asking, "Do you like beer?" During their courtship, they dined and danced their way around Los Angeles, and they were married on June 21, 1947, at Immaculate Heart Church in Hollywood. After a brief honeymoon in San Francisco, they settled into a little apartment on Pico and Crenshaw Blvds. Those early days were spent working, spending as much time as possible with their abundant family, and cooking (though she admitted her skills in the kitchen were terrible).

In the years that followed, Norma found herself pouring her heart into her most amazing role as mother to seven darling children: Randolph (Randy), Sharon, Kathleen (Kathie), Ricky, Ron, Theresa, and Kevin. Days were spent swimming at the Churchills', going for ice cream dates at the Skidmores', or house hopping from Jean's to Dorothy's to Mary's - constantly surrounded by her sisters, their husbands, her numerous nieces and nephews, her cousins, and, of course, her children. She would insist you could "always find a party" with so many people around. Summers meant long car rides back to Michigan to visit Grandma and Grandpa Pembleton - where the stories of their cross-country adventures became infamous for the bickering and whining of the children in tow. Her family meant everything to her.

As the years passed, her children grew and started their own adult lives. She joined the workforce again and enjoyed her new role as "gramma." She delighted in spoiling all her grandchildren. Though she could be stern at times, she was ever the proud grandparent and always treated each grandchild as her "favorite."

Norma and Bob were always active at their local Catholic church, often bringing grandchildren along for Sunday mass. Her faith anchored her throughout the years. Though her life was never easy, it was one of unyielding faith, remarkable strength, and constant perseverance. She would humbly tell you that she simply did what she had to do. A child of the Great Depression and World War II, Norma had an insurmountable inner strength, a tenacious spirit, and a stubborn persistence. She was awfully clever, wholly straightforward, and completely beautiful (especially with the Kuhl cleft chin). She built an everlasting legacy of love that lives on within all who knew her, and she certainly lived up to the strength and beauty of her names.

Norma had a propensity for sweets and snacks (which were as much for her as they were for Bob and her grandchildren). She always had See's Candy lollipops hidden in the kitchen drawer, fresh baked chocolate chip cookies in the yellow Tupperware bowl on the fridge, and cold peanut M&M's in the glass jar tucked in the back of the fridge.

She was also the queen of cards. She taught all her children and grandchildren how to play cards - poker, rummy, and blackjack. Some took to it better than others, but she was always up for a game. Family reunions, birthday parties, holidays - she loved a game of cards. Norma even became the resident card shark in her retirement community and was a merciless winner until the very end.

Golf was her sport of choice, and she spent many weekends in tournaments or on golf trips with her family and friends. She loved big band music, early mornings with freshly brewed coffee, and popcorn for an evening snack.

Norma was shrouded by the love of her friends and family until her peaceful passing on the evening of Thursday, Sept. 7, 2023. She is preceded by her mother and father; her siblings (10): Alexis (Lex), Horace, Genevieve (Jean), Dorothy (Dottie), Ruth Ann, Vincent, Marjorie (Marge), Juanita (Jonnie), Madeline, and Mary Helen; her husband of 53 years; her sons Randy and Ricky; and her daughter Sharon. She leaves behind four children (Kathie, Ron, Theresa, and Kevin), as well 11 grandchildren and innumerable great-grandchildren. She was cremated and her ashes were spread off the coast of Santa Barbara in early October.

A memorial will be held in her honor on Friday, Dec. 1, 2023, at 10 a.m. at The Church at Rocky Peak (26601 Santa Susana Pass Rd., Chatsworth, California). Family and friends are welcome to attend the celebration of her extraordinary life.

In lieu of flowers, kindly consider donating to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital or a local pet shelter.

Please share your photos of Norma at tinyurl.com/normapembleton