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Norma Merrill Obituary
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Memories and Condolences
for Norma Merrill
Sponsored by Norma Merrill's Family.
Joe Akridge
August 7, 2025
I Loved you so much Aunt Norma. You were so much fun to be around. And my mother loved every second you were together. You´re always in my heart. I´m happy your both together again.
Joe.
Stephen M Kanold
August 6, 2025
Dear Aunt Norma, has it been 15 years already? Your laughter, your smile, your singing shall forever lie in my heart. What a sense of humor you had! All who knew you were fortunate.
Steve and Lalo
August 7, 2024
Gone but never forgotten--You're in our hearts forever. Love you (as if you didn't know)!
Norm Kanold
August 6, 2024
Love and am thinking of you today my wonderful, vivacious aunt. The memories of our times together will never fade. RIP
Love, Norm
Steve and Lalo
August 6, 2023
Gone but not forgotten, Auntie! Love that you and Mom are together, and that your smiling photo on our desk (taken in Avalon, Catalina) greets us each day.
Steve and Lalo
August 6, 2021
Steve and Lalo
August 6, 2021
Steve and Lalo
August 6, 2021
We hold you in our hearts as being witty, accepting, and family-oriented. You taught us not to take life so seriously and were inspiring. Live, love, and laugh! In Lithuania, we added your name on the Hill of Crosses, where over 100,000 crosses stand in tribute to lost loved ones.
Steve Kanold
August 14, 2020
Auntie Norma and I had the same sense of humor. What I found funny, she did (and vice-versa). Just seeing the photograph of her on our kitchen counter makes me smile, and it makes me realize how much I miss her. Attached is a photo that I think Auntie would laugh and perhaps even relate to! R.I.P.
August 12, 2020
My Mommy. I feel and hear you everyday. Uncle Dick was right, you are not gone, you live in me. And I am forever blessed. Please come get me when it's my time to move, I want to hug you first. I love you.
Melody-Rose Bloom
August 6, 2019
Dear Mother, It's been 9 years since you moved to another place and yet as Brittany-Rose says, "I'd miss her except she's with me every day!" Your spirit, your voice, your hair-do, will never leave my daily activities. Every time I take a breath, I feel your love. Thank you for being my Mother. Thank you for never leaving me. Oxoxox
December 22, 2013
Missing you so much this Christmas!
Melody-Rose
March 19, 2013
Mother.... you crack me up! Thank you for what you did... No anonymity on that one. You and Aunt Barbara are still in cahoutz and are working overtime. Please take some time for yourself and go visit Israel or the Roman ruins or maybe even attend a Hank Williams gig! oooxxxx
Hey, you made me!
Melody-Rose
January 11, 2013
Dear Mama, I miss you so much. Please take care of Auntie Barbara in heaven like she took care of you on earth. The only thing that makes me smile as I miss you is seeing you with your sister and knowing I will see you again. Have a ball, and bring her with you when you "come get me"... I miss you Mama...
Kathryn Maccario-Merrill
November 20, 2012
Hi grandma we miss you.
-Kathryn
Robin Merrill
August 8, 2012
Mother,
There is nothing in life more painful than losing a mother, the love is there forever though, we never really lose them only from the physical plane, because where love exists there can be no loss.
When you lose someone you love, you gain an angel that you know.
Not a second passes, when you're not on our minds, your love we will never forget, the hurt will ease in time.
Perhaps they are not stars, but rather openings in heaven where the love of our lost loved ones pours through and shines down upon us to let us know they are happy.
I miss you, I miss your smile, and I still shed a tear every once in a
while.
Even though it's different now, you're still here somehow, my heart won't let you go, and I need you to know…
I miss you.
Melody-Rose Bloom
August 8, 2011
Mama, you are what God is made of; you are what you gave to all of us; you are what we all seek in life; you are what makes me know you are with us still; you are love. I celebrate your life, here and there, everyday of mine. Thank you for being who you are and nurturing all of us so that we are never without you and never alone. oxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo
Thank you for the love I give and the love I receive
Melody-Rose
February 20, 2011
Mother, there is not a moment of joy in this life that I don't share with you and thank you for. You may have moved, but you have not left me. All the things that bring me happiness you, the angels and my God have given me. Brittany-Rose, Carrie-Lane and Kathryn would never have happened - genetically or developmentally - without you. You are the definition of fun. I thank you and I miss you desparately. oxoxox
Norm Kanold
October 30, 2010
My Aunt was a lifetime inspiration to me in so many ways. She reflected all that was fun in life with her gregarious personality, beautiful smile, and musical talent. My earliest memories of her were at family gatherings, where she, her dad, and my mom would entertain all of us with music and song. She was quite an accomplished ukulele player, and her gutty rendition of "Won't You Come Home Bill Bailey?" became her personal theme song. I have tried to emulate her abilities at ukulele strumming and her flair for singing, but there was only one Norma. She also reflected a wonderful spirit of giving, always appearing at holidays and birthdays with more gifts than she could carry (or afford!), not for show but simply because she had a big heart. Norma was the perfect "Auntie" for our family: she was a personality, a talent, a wit, and a giver. My wife, Thais, our daughters Marisa and Nicole, and I are blessed to have had her in our lives and will always keep her close through photographs and video of our times together. We will love her eternally.
Chris Andrada
September 15, 2010
I heard, and with great sorrow, the passing of Norma. I have very good memories of Norma being quite nice to this formerly wayward and troubled person. During the years that I visited the Merrill household on Peale Lane, Norma was always kind and generous to me, plying me with cookies and other snacks, listening to my mediocre guitar playing, listening to some of my nonsense and even some of my problems, and also giving advice to me at times. As you all may or may not know, I had a really troubled home life, Norma always made me feel like I mattered. My memories of Norma will always be good ones, and my heart goes out to all of you that loved and cared for her too.
Sincerely,
Chris Andrada
Kathryn - your beautiful gift to all of us
Melody-Rose Bloom
September 10, 2010
Mom, you left 3 gorgeous granddaughters to carry on your gifts of laughter, wisdom and giving. Thank you so much for making living this life easier. You truly can be felt through all of them.
Barbara Taylor
September 6, 2010
Norma was one of my dearest friends since Oakwood. We might not see each other for a few months but our conversations never ended- like we left off from where we left last time. All of Norma's friends, she treated as family.
**Norma was gods gift to all of us**
And I will Miss Her Dearly.... She will always be in my heart and thoughts!
Anna Coulousi
September 4, 2010
I will cherish Aunt Norma, always. She was warm and compassionate and I always felt her love for my girls, Gabrielle and Carlie and also me. Being in her presence was as if you walked into her arms, even though you were standing right next to her. Aunt Norma's advice on life, always given with a sense of humor, was welcomed. I won't forget her fashion phrase, "match-y match-y" as it is forever with my girls and me when we try on clothes! I thank God for bringing her into my life and for my sister, Thais, marrying into her family.
Norma Elsie Merrill, Huntington Harbor
Robin Merrill
September 2, 2010
Steve Kanold
August 24, 2010
With the passing of Aunt Norma, Christmas is no more. Starting in September, no one was more excited in preparing for Christmas than my beloved aunt. Oh, how she would decorate her house, wrap presents, and act like a child as December 25 approached! Her excitement had nothing at all to do with receiving gifts, but in giving. And all her life was just that: doing things for others.
Witty, loving, caring, giving--these were the attributes I will cherish forever when I think of Aunt Norma. Also, I always marveled at her knowledge of history. Often she would phone and tell me to turn on the History Channel, as there would be a show on about Venice, Rome, or some other place we visited while on our European tour. And she was also very interested in anything to do with Jesus Christ: My aunt believed strongly in the Lord, and to that end I know she is in a happier place.
Still, I miss her dearly, and so does my partner, Lalo. Norma welcomed everyone in her fold, and held no prejudice against anyone. How Christ-like is that? We look so forward to being with her when our time comes. Hope she's there with a bowl of her homemade potato salad, or her pot of 5-different-beans, or her award-winning meatloaf. God, I miss her.
Alan Berry
August 18, 2010
When I was a young boy, my "Aunt Norma", along with her sister, my "Aunt Barbara", were the coolest and funniest people I knew. When Auntie walked into a room, it lit up like a Christmas tree. The laughter, the jokes, the music, and overall wonderful times are forever locked in my head. I know those times shaped me into the person I am today. Aunt Norma gave me the love of entertaining, as she had shown us all how it was done long ago. Aunt Norma's infectious laugh and love of life will always put a smile on my face and a song in my heart. I will miss you terribly now Auntie, but one day I can't wait to sit around the piano with you again and sing and sing and sing. I love you Auntie and the wonderful cousins you gave me, Melody and Robin. Rest well Aunt Norma and I will see you again. I love you.
Heather Murphy
August 17, 2010
Norma would be with her sister and sometimes talk about "Bogart." One day I said "You knew Humphrey Bogart?" and she said, I'm talking about the former Mayor of Palm Springs." Miss you, Norma.
Heidi Anthony-Hurst
August 17, 2010
My thoughts and prayers are with you. Norma is such a beautiful warm and very loving person she will be forever remembered through our memories thoughts and prayers
Susan Thomas
August 17, 2010
We spent so little time with your mom, but each monment was truly enjoyable. She is truly missed by many.
I was asked to take this photo the last time I saw her. She was among the most pleasant of all the people I have ever encountered. She will be missed
Susan Thomas
August 17, 2010
Deanna Winfield
August 17, 2010
Melody,my thoughts and prayers are with you. Love you and miss you.
Diane Gullo
August 17, 2010
The light that will always shine in your heart is the memories, the laughs, the disagreements that now can make you smile and most of all the love.
Love Diane Gullo
myrt hamel
August 16, 2010
I am so sad to know Norma has gone to heaven to be with the Lord. I loved her like a Mom. I worked with and for her at the gift shop in the Embassy Suite Hotel. What great memories I have of her. She was a loving, caring and giving lady. I will never forget you Sweetie and all you did for me. And one of the best was the surprise birthday party. With all my love Myrt Hamel
Barbara Soules
August 16, 2010
My darling sister,
I miss you terribly and love you forever. "God saw her getting tired, a cure not meant to be, so he put his arms around her and whispered 'Come with me'."
Your Loving Sister, Barbara
Brittany-Rose Tribulski
August 14, 2010
May I make you proud and may you continue to guide me in my faith. I will run steadfast in your legacy to have fun, cause a ruckus and shake it! I learned from the best, Grandma!
CAROLYN HARTFORD-HUNTER
August 14, 2010
NORMA WAS MY FATHER, LORIMER HARTFORD'S NIECE. HE LOVED HER, AND HER SISTER BARBARA WITH A FIERCE LOYALTY, AS HE DID THEIR FATHER NORMAN. MY FIRST MEMORY OF NORMA IS AT THE HUNTINGTON HARBOR HOUSE. SHE WAS SINGING AND LAUGHING AND LOOKED LIKE A MOVIE STAR. BEAUTIFUL SKIN AND HAIR. I WAS IN AWE. SHE WAS TRYING TO GET HER DAUGHTERS ATTENTION, AND SHE WAS YELLING (AS ONLY HARTFORDS DO) MELODY ROSE -ROBIN STAR GET IN HERE AND GIVE YOUR MOTHER A KISS. THE TWO CUTEST LITTLE GIRLS CAME TO HER WITH WET BATHING SUITS, AND LOVED ON HER. IT WAS TOUCHING, EVEN FOR A CHILD TO SEE HOW SHE LOVED HER GIRLS. DID NOT EVEN CARE IF THEY WERE SOAKING WET.
SINCE THOSE DAYS, I HAD NOT SEEN HER FREQUENTLY UNTIL 5 YEARS AGO WHEN I MOVED VERY CLOSE TO MELODY. SHE WAS AT SEVERAL PARTIES. SHE TOLD ME STORIES ABOUT MY DAD, AND HER DAD, SHE MADE ME LAUGH. I KNOW OUR FATHERS WERE SMILING DOWN ON US HAVING SUCH A GOOD TIME. I TREASURE THAT TIME WITH HER, AND AM SO GLAD MELODY MADE THAT POSSIBLE. NORMA LOVED HER FAMILY SO MUCH, AND I KNOW THE WHOLE CLAN IS TOGETHER AGAIN IN HEAVEN HAVING ONE HELL OF A PARTY. NORMA IS SINGING AND PLAYING THAT UKE, LIKE ONLY SHE CAN.
August 13, 2010
Norma sang the song "Release Me" so well
that God heard and granted her wish at last. We will miss her in the family gatherings; she was always thoughtful
Emily Varshay
August 13, 2010
To remember Norma is to look at Melody Rose... a beautiful lady filled with wisdom and love!
Kathy Day
August 12, 2010
My Aunt Norma was a character....she always made me smile and laugh with her quick wit. I'll cherish all the memories of her, as she was an integral part of my immediate family, and every day her name was mentioned. Every friend I introduced her to loved her. Ever defensive of Barbara, (my Mother and her sister), she was like a second Mom to me, and I loved taking them both on road trips.....one wouldn't go without the other. I'll miss her very much!
Gene Anthony
August 12, 2010
Norma married my brother Anton way back when and I was the "little" brother, the shadow, watching her and liking Norma, who with Tony, seemed to give order to his life and the Anthony's who came from another planet. Norma was generally enthusiastic about everything and liked everyone's ideas and was the one person who was always positive with wide open eyes, ready to take on whatever. I've missed her.
Bonnie Lynch
August 12, 2010
I was a pre-teen when I first met the Kanold side of the family. It was pretty overwhelming but Norma always made me feel very welcome and just another one of the kids. She had such a big heart.
Joe Akridge
August 12, 2010
All though I hadn't seen my Aunt Norma in years she was always in my thoughts. She was a special person indeed. My Mother loved her like they were sisters, even though they were cousins. That shows you what kind of Love this family has for each other. I will never forget the joy I got from lessoning to Aunt Norma and my Mom and uncle's singing and playing guitar together. Most kids now a days would never set around for that.......but not this family. All of us kids would be glued to the floor, waiting for the next song. The best part is I can still hear them singing.
I remember her always wearing a bow or a scarf in her hair, she was so pretty, like our whole family is. Aunt Norma had a way with all us kids to keep us all in tune and keep us doing things. The one trip I remember the most to see Aunt Norma was in Huntington Beach, at her beach house in the harbor. We eat like Kings, swam in the harbor and watched our Mom's and Uncles play together like they were on Ed Sullivan.
I fell in love with her daughters that day, and I still am to this very day. Thank god I still have them and all the wonderful memories of my sweet Aunt Norma.
Tell my Mom hello for me Aunt Norma. I can hear you both laughing and singing right now.
Your Loving Nephew
Roberta Soules
August 12, 2010
When I was a teenager Norma with just a few observations and
comments taught me some life lessons I have remembered over the years. But it is her exuberance and zest that I will remember most.
August 12, 2010
Norma will be missed by everyone she knew. She always added life to a good party and had the best times with her family.
Rosemary & Vern Knourek, Redlands,Ca.
Janice L. Betrue Roney
August 12, 2010
Since her passing, I can't stop thinking of her beautiful smiling face, and how she, as Melody so perceptively relayed was, "The light in the room." My earliest memory of Aunt Norma however, was more than fifty years ago; and I was in as much awe at seven, as I am today. For all of us little ragamuffins on the Betrue/Hartford/Halberg side, she was a dazzling, fun, bighearted, warm and Loving Princess. As I matured and had children of my own, I marveled how much she Loved and shared her light with them. How she wholeheartedly, without reservation, those long, long legs curled to the side or tucked under; get right down on the floor to entertain them. Of course they too—were mesmerized. Thank the good Lord, my memories are long because I cherish them as I did you my Precious Aunt. I hope that you and my dear Mother, who Loved you so; are having the time of your lives! Until we meet again, I will Love You Always & Forever, xoxo
Robin Merrill
August 12, 2010
My heart is breaking, I miss you so much. Thank you for giving me the love of music and for always telling me to "buck up." I know I'm a stronger person for it today. And thank you for giving me the best sister in the whole world.
Melody-Rose Bloom
August 12, 2010
Mother was the light in the room, the music in my life and the laughter that infected everyone in her presence. I cannot imagine this life without her but I will pretend she is on the trip she dreamed of taking to "The Holy Land". When I see her again... I will never let her go.
Don Wallace
August 12, 2010
Try not to cry as tears show saddnesss, Rather try your best to laugh and sing in the celebration of life that was, The life that was shared and brought so much joy to so many in the time that was allowed here on earth. Although Norma is no longer with us, Let's cherrish the memories and the wealth of laughter she brought so many. The laughter should far outweigh the tears on the scales at the closure.
Melody-Rose Bloom
August 12, 2010
The most common line I've heard in my life was "I wish I had your mother". She was the light in the room, the music in my life and the laughter that infected whoever was in her presence. I can't imagine life without her so I will pretend she is on her long awaited trip to "the Holy Land" and never let her go when I see her again.
Kathy Sturges
August 12, 2010
I'll always remember Norma singing and laughing and her smile full of spirit. A lovely lady who enjoyed life.
Dixie Kanold
August 12, 2010
We miss you and love you forever. Who gets all my grammar school art projects that you have displayed in your buffet now? You are a fountain of love. Your loving niece Dixie
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