Norma A. Byars

1940 - 2011

Norma A. Byars

November 9, 1940 - October 11, 2011

Born Norma Augustina Giuffre, one of six siblings, Norma was raised in Athol, MA.

As a young woman, she ventured across the country to Southern California, where she met the love of her life, Bob. The day they met, he told her she would be his wife. His promise held true. They were married for 41 years until he passed away in 2005. Norma and Bob spent the early years of their marriage following his ironworking jobs around the state, until settling in Antioch, CA. There, they lovingly raised two children, Stephanie and Bobby, in their home of 34 years. In 2004, not long after retiring from The Contra Costa Times as an obituary and legal clerk, Norma and Bob moved to Redding. They made this move to be close to their daughter and family while together, they both courageously battled cancer.

After the loss of Bob, Norma began a new chapter in life. She spent her time volunteering at Mercy Hospital and The Discovery Shop, as well as helping to care for her grandchildren. The garden thrived in her daily ritual of pulling weeds and planting. After joining support groups and Redding Newcomers, Norma enjoyed an amazing group of new friends and it was as if they were always a part of her life. She loved to read, travel, play slot machines and bowl. Norma was always ready for a "Girls' Night Out" and learned to check her email and Facebook regularly for those opportunities.

Norma especially loved being part of her nine grandchildren's lives. Rarely missing a performance, game, or graduation, she made every effort to travel whatever distance, including coast to coast to spend time with her family. With her grandchildren, "Meme" enjoyed countless sleepovers, tasted many culinary experiments, watched impromptu shows, and proudly covered her refrigerator and walls with pictures and artwork.

A connoisseur of everything chocolate, a fan of pink flamingoes, flipflops, and Kewpie dolls, Norma was never one to complain; instead, always looking to the bright side of every situation. Loving, courageous, and filled with a quiet, gentle strength, she was eternally supportive and loyal to family and friends.

Norma passed peacefully and is now at rest with her husband Bob; her parents, Amilda and Ignacio Giuffre, and sisters Dorothy and Barbara. She is survived by her daughter, Stephanie Byars-Dickie (Shane) of Redding; son Bobby Byars (Jennifer) of Dayton, ME; sister Doris Murray of Torrance, CA.; sister Kitty Smith (Al) of Springfield, MA; brother Matt Giuffre (Sharon), of Athol, MA; sister-in-law Reverend Jean Jenkins (Max) of Lewiston, Idaho; and numerous nieces and nephews. Known as Meme to her grandchildren, she will greatly be missed by Shaina, Kiana, and Kai Dickie, of Redding, and Olivia, Amanda, Drew, Wyatt, Cole, and Emma Byars, of Dayton, ME; as well as her canine companion, Sammie.

The family would like to thank the many friends, doctors, nurses and staff at Mercy Hospital, No. Cal. Rehabilitation Hospital, Copper Ridge Care Center, and Mercy Hospice, who compassionately cared for her during this challenging year. We would especially like to express our sincere gratitude toward the staff at The Vistas.
You are an amazing team of angels.

A graveside service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, October 15, 2011 at Redding Memorial Park; The Reverend Jean Jenkins officiating.

A gathering of friends and family will immediately follow at Cattlemans Restaurant in Redding.

Memorial donations may be made in Norma's name to Mercy Hospice or The American Cancer Society.

Please sign the guestbook at http://obituaries.redding.com