NORMA LOU (HARRINGTON) MAAS
Age 84, of Riverside, California, passed peacefully to heaven Monday morning, April 3, 2023.
Norma was born in Boswell, OK, on July 13, 1938, to Eugene and Rosalie Harrington. About five years later the family moved to Arizona. Norma was raised in Duncan, AZ, with her siblings Oliver, Susie, and Barbara, and graduated from Duncan High School in 1956. She attended the University of Arizona and graduated in 1960. Later that year, Norma met Gene in Tucson at a wedding of mutual friends. They were married on September 2, 1961. They immediately moved to Corvallis, OR, where Gene pursued a PH.D. at Oregon State University (OSU). Their son, Jeffrey, was born in 1963, and their daughter, Teri, was born in 1964. In September 1966, the family moved to Beltsville, MD where Gene began his career as a plant scientist working for the USDA.
The family moved to Riverside, CA in 1968 when Gene accepted a position at the US Salinity Laboratory. Their son, Steven, was born in 1970. Except for a sabbatical year spent in Beltsville, MD in 1988 - 1989, and six months living in Australia in 1995-1996, Norma and Gene have called Riverside their home for nearly 55 years.
Norma worked as a secretary in various positions throughout the years including Phelps Dodge Mining Co. in Morenci, AZ, and the Department of Chemistry at OSU. In 1980, when the first personal computers became available, Norma started her own business, Computype Business Services, a word processing business that she ran until 1988. In 1989, Norma and Gene published a book on all the descendants of Gene’s great great grandfather, David Maas. Later, she also typed and edited the memoirs of her aunt, Pauline Harrington, and her mother-in-law, Lydia Maas.
Norma was an active member of the Lutheran Church and served as church secretary in two churches, Grace Lutheran in Corvallis, OR, and Grace Lutheran in Glen Avon, CA. In 1980, she and Gene joined Eden Lutheran Church in Riverside where she served as Financial Secretary for the past 30 years. In 1986, she co-chaired a fund-raising committee for a new church addition.
Hardly a day went by that Norma didn’t complete a crossword puzzle. She also loved reading and was an avid fan of Jeopardy. Earlier in their marriage, Norma and Gene enjoyed square dancing and were active members of Roar n’ Twirlers square dance club until 1984. Most of all, Norma loved family get-togethers and spending time with her grandchildren.
After her husband retired, Norma and Gene spent nearly every summer in Jamestown, ND (Gene’s hometown) often traversing the United States and Canada along the way. They also made many trips abroad to Europe, Australia, New Zealand, China, and South America. In July last year, they were able to fulfill their dream of taking their entire family on an Alaskan cruise.
Norma dealt with several health issues in her life, but spinal stenosis was the most debilitating. It was during rehabilitation following successful spinal surgery that she passed unexpectedly at the Riverside Village Healthcare Center. She will be missed beyond measure and remembered with love by her family and all who have known her.
Her first love was her family, and she is survived by Gene, her devoted husband of almost 62 years; her children, Jeff (Kristi) of Riverside, Teri Campbell (Tracy) of Redding, CA; and Steve of Chapel Hill, NC; and grandchildren, Jarrod (Emily), Ethan, and Gwyneth. Also surviving are siblings, E. Oliver Harrington of Toledo, OH; Susie Thompson (Jerome) of Safford, AZ; and Barbara Nash of Prescott, AZ; and many more in-laws, nieces, nephews, and cousins.
A Memorial Service will be held at Eden Lutheran Church, 4725 Brockton Ave., Riverside, CA on June 17 at 11:00 am. A Celebration of Life is also being planned for the evening before the service. Donations to Eden Lutheran Church are suggested in lieu of flowers.