San Antonio Express-News (Sunday)
NORMA AMSBERRY
Faith, family, and a strong work ethic were her anchors. Helping to make a difference, her passion. By the time she passed, Norma Amsberry had been a businesswoman, an active volunteer in community service and politics, and a fierce champion of women and of human rights.
A life-long Texan, Norma Gonzalez was born in El Paso on Dec. 26, 1943 and raised by her devoted mother, Amelia, as her father died soon after WWII.
As an only child growing up in a close-knit family, her cousins were more like sisters to her. In 1967, she met and married Robert Amsberry, a meteorologist working for El Paso Natural Gas, whose was her soulmate until he passed in 1997. Together, they had a son Russell. During this time, in addition to being a mother, her entrepreneurial streak led her to run a popular, high-end gift store, “The Mason Jar” for over ten years.
December 26, 1943 - March 22, 2022
In nature, she most found God Norma left a legacy of always and serenity. The family for striving to do better, achieving several years enjoyed vacationing more, and doing more to help at their second home others whenever possible. Her in Cloudcroft, NM. Norma curiosity and zest for learning treasured her time there and were a constant throughout her attending to garden which was life. Besides gardening, cooking, her pride-and-joy. music and the arts were passions of hers. She was a phenomenal hugger and could belt out a heartfelt laugh that would put a smile on your face. Making a difference, volunteering, and treating people with dignity and respect–regardless of their station in life–were the values that governed her life, she inspired in others, and cultivated in her only child, Russell. She will be missed greatly but her spirit and example will be indelible.
She worked tirelessly for many service organizations. In El Paso, she was a stalwart member of the Junior League, and served on boards for the Council on Aging and the Visiting Nurses Association. Later, after moving to San Antonio, she became a board member to the St. Jude Children’s Hospital San Antonio Annual Gala and SAWS Water Conservation Board. In politics, Norma always focused more on the quality and character of individual candidates rather than their party affiliation. She served on a board for a Democratic Governor of Texas (Mark White), was a lead contact for coordinating Republican Vice-President George H.W. Bush’s visit to El Paso, and served as a campaign manager for candidates of both parties.
She was preceded by her mother, Amelia P. Gonzalez, and husband, Robert E. Amsberry. She is survived by her son, Russell Amsberry and her cousins Yolanda Hall, Corinne Miraglia, Dolores Gallardo, Carol Wallace and Linda Burns. In her honor, a Requiem Mass will be held at 10:00 a.m. on April 8, 2022, at St. Elizabeth
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to St. Jude Children’s Hospital in her honor.