Norma Jean Phillips

On Tuesday January 14, 2025, Norma Jean Phillips, 95, of Ashtabula, Ohio, left this earth to reunite with her husband, on his birthday, in heaven. In her final moments, she was home, surrounded by the people that loved her most. Norma was born October 11, 1929, in Cumberland, Maryland, the daughter of Earl and Leora Beal. Norma was one of seven children. Although they lived in different states, she remained very close with all her siblings.
Norma married the love of her life, whom she affectionately called Leon, on October 9, 1954. While in Maryland, Norma worked as a switchboard operator for the telephone company.
Norma and her husband moved to Geneva, OH shortly after the birth of their son in 1958. She continued her work as a telephone switchboard operator on night shift for the Geneva Telephone company, while running a household and raising her children. Norma loved telling stories from those years to her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
While her children were teenagers, Norma enjoyed working at the snack bar at the Austinburg skating rink since they could be found there seven days a week. Norma retired from MFG in Ashtabula but continued to run the office of her son's racquetball club and auto shop business for many years after that.
Norma enjoyed traveling and camping with her family. She spent many summers on the boat with her husband. It became a running joke that every time she was out it would storm. Her husband lovingly gave her the nickname "Stormy", which stuck with her for many years. Her true love was being with her grandchildren, and then becoming "Grandma Norm" to her great-grandchildren. Much of her time was spent attending sporting events, cheer competitions, and beauty pageants. She never missed a birthday or an event. She was generous, compassionate, and a timeless beauty in every sense of the word.
Norma will be greatly missed, her presence brought smiles to everyone around her, and she treated everyone like family.
Norma is survived by her children Joe Philips of Saybrook, Sandy Weaver of Ashtabula, three grandchildren, Kevin (Rebecca) Zoretich, Kyle Weaver (Tonia Staats), Carlye Weaver (David Whitfield), and six great-grandchildren, Rayah Spencer, Kruz Zoretich, Aubrey Zoretich, Scarlett Whitfield, Rowyn Weaver, Odin Weaver, and her sister Pat, of Cumberland, Maryland.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 60 years, Joseph Leon Phillips, her siblings Harold Beal, Ronnie Beal, Joe Beal, Julia Beeman, Marjorie Crites.
Norma's family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you and their gratitude to Doni, Des and team at Adoration Hospice. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758517, Topeka, Kansas 66675 - www.woundedwarriorproject.org- or a local animal shelter of your choice!
Calling hours will be held from 11AM to 1PM with a service to follow at 1PM on Sunday, January 19, 2025, at the Zaback-Williams-Ducro Funeral Home, 500 West Prospect Road, Ashtabula. Chaplin Heidi will preside. Entombment will be at Greenlawn Memory Gardens, North Kingsville