Norma J Bright's Obituary
Norma Jean Bright was born on July 1, 1933, in Winter Haven Florida to Ronald and Mollie Webb. She was one of four siblings. She attended school there, finishing up at Winter Haven high school (and cheerleading) in 1951. At 19 she met and married the love of her life, Odis (Dick) Bright who was a Staff Seargent in the Air Force. While his biggest supporter they traveled to Texas, Germany, Tennessee and finally Florida. She had two daughters: Kathie Cartwright and Sharron (Sherry) Carey. She attended night classes to improve her secretarial skills, while being a full-time mother and wife. Once the girls were in school, she returned to work using those skills learned. She was a “no-nonsense, get it done,” type person. She worked as an administrative assistant for NASA engineers, Siemens, and General Dynamics for 30 years.
She loved to cook and loved to learn about a variety of cuisines. She learned to make German food while in Germany. Honed her skills in Italian and frequented Mexican and Chinese restaurants. She showed her love through her cooking and hosted a multitude of family and friend gatherings. Family retreats were among her favorites to show off her famous shrimp salad and coconut cake.
Once she and Dick retired, they bought a van and traveled the United States to many famous and not so famous destinations. She was the extraverted one of the pair. Her address book was filled with people they’d met and stayed connected to. She loved staying in touch with people as her Christmas card list was perhaps a rival to Emily Post. She was a constant and fierce supporter of her family and loved being around them. There was much laughter as they gathered.
They moved to Mt. Dora where she joined the ladies’ group and served on social committees. She lived there over 20 years where she took care of Dick until he passed in 2018. Norma is survived by her brothers William Webb and Dwight Tyre, daughters; Kathie Cartwright and Sharron Carey, grandchildren Stephanie Gillen, Andrea Ulmer and Amy Cartwright and 2 great-grandchildren, Patrick and Natalie Gillen.
Family and friends are invited to gather on Saturday, September 23 from 10:30 AM - 11:00 AM with a funeral ceremony starting at 11:00 AM in the Hamlin & Hilbish Eustis chapel. Burial will follow at Lakeside Memory Gardens.
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