Susan Ann Norman
Susan Ann Norman never had formal training in cooking, but that didn't stop her from eventually teaching cooking classes at Macalester College in Minnesota. Cooking was not the only activity at which she excelled; Ms. Norman was also a skilled gardener and wordsmith.
"She had a great command of the English language and grammar," said her sister, Elizabeth Ritter.
Susan Ann Norman died Thursday, Nov. 5, 2009, from lung cancer. She was 64.
Ms. Norman was born Aug. 17, 1945, in Rochester, Minn., to J. P. and Jeanette Norman. She graduated with a bachelor's degree in history from Mount St. Scholastica College (now Benedictine College) in Atchison, Kan., in 1967. Three years later, she earned a master's degree in speech from St. Louis University. She worked in public relations in Minnesota for more than 10 years and moved to Columbia to take care of her parents.
A gardener with an eye for detail and beauty, Ms. Norman became a container specialist at Superior Garden Center. In her spare time, she enjoyed crosswords, participated in book clubs and traveled. Her favorite destination was Tuscany, Italy, which she visited often.
Still, there was no place like home for Ms. Norman.
"She loved to be surrounded by family and friends with good food and a bottle of wine," her sister said. "If she couldn't have that, let her have a cup of coffee and a crossword."
She is survived by her mother; brothers, Richard and William; her sister; nephews, Nathan and Matthew Ritter and Kevin Norman; and her niece, Megan.
Her father died earlier.
Services will be held from 4 to 5 p.m. Tuesday at Superior Garden Center, 3100 Old 63.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Missouri River Hospice, 1410 Heriford Road, Columbia, MO 65202.
