Norma L. Starkweather

FITCHBURG- Norma Leora (Shroyer) Starkweather, age 97, died Tuesday, September 15, 2009. She was born November 25, 1911, in Marshall, MI to parents Harvey H. and Grace (Brewer) Shroyer. Shortly after her birth she moved with her family and grew up in Mishwaka, Indiana. Norma met Walter Starkweather in 1928 and they were married March 3, 1931. Together they moved to Madison on April 1, 1931 and have lived here ever since. She joined First Baptist Church in 1931 and has been an active member all of her life. Norma was the Assistant to the Director of the Madison Public Library, retiring in 1976. She was a member of the Historical Society, the Westside Coalition for the Aging, the State and South Central Chapter of the Genealogical Society, Friends of the Library and she served on the John Bell Chapter of the DAR Board of Management. Norma was also active in many local volunteer efforts. She always had a beautiful garden no matter where she lived and she enjoyed quilting and reading. She was also known for her baking and her wonderful Christmas cookies. Her grandchildren and great grandchildren will fondly remember her Christmas tree-trimming parties. Norma is survived by her children: Janice (Marvin) VanLysel of Madison, David Starkweather of New York City, Peter Starkweather of Madison and Linda (Harley) Spilde of McFarland; 11 grandchildren; 14 great grandchildren; 3 great great grandchildren; brother, Dalton Shroyer of Chandler, AZ; sister-in-law, Corrine Starkweather of AZ; and numerous nieces and nephews. She was proceded in death by her parents; husband, 2 brothers and 2 sisters. A special appreciation to the staff at Avalon Assisted Living Community and HospiceCare for their loving care and support. A funeral service will be held at 11:00 AM on Friday, September 18, 2009, at FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH, 518 N. Franklin Ave., Madison, with a visitation starting at 9:00 at the church. Burial will be at Roselawn Memorial Park in Monona. Memorials may be made to the HospiceCare Foundation, Inc., or to First Baptist Church.