Norma Lou Lucille Jordan Pitzer

Norma “Lou” Pitzer, 87, passed peacefully in her home on January 29, 2014 with all of her children surrounding her. She was the best Mom in the world and will be missed greatly by everyone who knew her. Lou was born March 31, 1926 in Xenia, OH, to James and Charlotte (Miller) Jordan. She was one of 8 siblings, giving her a life-long appreciation of and devotion to family. She married William “Bill” H. Pitzer on May 14, 1949. Lou and Bill traveled all over as part of his military career, and she worked in Civil Service at every base they were stationed at.

Lou is survived by children Laura Maine, Brenda (Mike) Hemmer, Bill Pitzer, and Cyndy (Laura) Pecic; sisters Eileen Guirino, Viola Hendricks, Bonnie Barnett; brother Elwood Jordan; grandchildren Bill Maine, Tonya Wanko, Erica Sapp, Jennifer Hemmer, and James Pecic III; and 6 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband of 60 years in 2009; sisters Reba Cattorini, Geraldine Hahn; brother Virgil Jordan; and parents James and Charlotte Jordan.

Lou loved the holidays (always decorating her home!), cooking (enough for an army!), and she never missed a birthday of a family member, friend, co-worker, or neighbor. Even during her final days she wanted to make sure something was sent to her sister Eileen for her 90th birthday and her daughter Brenda’s birthday, both in February. She will be remembered for her generosity, love, and unique, contagious laugh. You could identify her in a crowded room just by the sound of her laughter. Oh how we’ll all miss that laugh!

A private service will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers please send donations to Hospice of the Valley. Remembrances can be shared online at www.valleyofthesunfuneralhome.com

~ Biography for Norma

Many things can be said about our Mom, Norma Lucille Pitzer, known to her friends and family as "Lou". Fun. Generous. Loving. Sweet. Kind. Lighthearted. Saucy. Full of Laughter. These are only some of the words we think of when we remember Mom.

She was an amazing woman, with an even more amazing outlook on life that focused on the positives--what was good, what was true. She did not measure love, she gave it freely to everyone she met. What an inspiration!

Her parents were Charlotte and James Jordan. Lou was raised in Xenia, Ohio along with her seven siblings, which gave her a life-long appreciation of and loyalty to family. She had 5 sisters, Jerry, Eileen, Viola, Reba, Bonnie and 2 brothers, Virgil and Elwood. Her Dad called her "Dutch" when she was younger, because she was as strong-willed as a Dutchman.

Family life was a struggle for them and in order to help out her family she lived with her Aunt Margaret and Uncle Barton during her high school years and graduated from Russellville High School in 1944. She really looked forward to being back home during the summers to catch up, spend time with her family and enjoy being together again.

On May 14, 1949 Lou married William "Bill" Howard Pitzer at the Justice of the Peace in Muncie, Indiana. Lou and Bill traveled all over the world as part of his military career, and she worked in Civil Service at every base they were stationed at. Mom used to always say the only time she got a break from working was when she was pregnant. We're surprised she didn't have more than four children! Mom and Dad were always on bowling leagues and Dad had a real nice curve ball. They enjoyed time spent at the NCO clubs and playing cards with neighbors and friends. They had an active life and enjoyed their 60 happy years together.

Lou and Bill raised four children: Laura, Brenda, Bill, and Cyndy. A more complete devotion to family would be hard to find. She had such an endearing way about her, with her joyful laugh along with her southern (Ohio) accent which never faded through the years. She was also a great listener and always took time out for people, whether for a quick chat or a deeper and more heartfelt conversation. A better Mother could not be found!

Lou was also blessed with five grandchildren: Bill, Tonya, Erica, Jennifer, and Jim and six great grandchildren. She loved them all very much and would do anything for them.

Lou took great pleasure in her various hobbies. Her favorite pursuits were macramé, bowling, bingo, poker slot machines, family get-together's, playing cards and board games. Mom would save rolls of quarters to hand out to everyone on our trips to the casino--she had rolls on her dresser, ready to go at any time!

Mom loved to plan parties, and was always thinking of the next fun event, whether a birthday, holiday, or the ever frequent poker party! She always remembered to send cards and letters for every occasion and took great pride in staying connected to her family and friends. Mom stayed in touch with friends from her elementary and high school days-- now that takes dedication! She loved the holidays always decorating her home and cooking enough for an army. We could never figure out her special recipe for potato salad and why hers always tasted better than anyone else's! Must have been the love she put in it.

Lou's favorite vacations included trips back home to Ohio and California to visit with family and friends. She and her husband, Bill liked to go to Las Vegas and Laughlin where she played the slots and Bill played craps or poker. Most of all she loved just spending time at home with her family.

Lou always looked her best! She would get dressed in the morning, put on makeup and lipstick and comb her hair and was ready for whatever the day would bring. She took great care with her appearance and loved to go shopping and then out to lunch or dinner with her daughters.

Lou was a lover of animals, which was a good thing since she always ended up taking care of all the pets her children brought home. One of Lou's favorites was Lady, a Shepherd mix they got from the Humane Society. Mom would always hide Easter eggs in the back yard for the grand-kids to find and Lady would always manage to find them first! Her family had a wide variety of pets including; dogs, cats, hamsters, birds, fish, and turtles. They even had a couple of pet rats, a chicken and a rooster thanks to daughter Cyndy who was the real lover of animals in the family! Oh the stories we could tell about the chicken (Chickie),the rooster (Charlie) and the rats (Helen and Roy)!

Lou was 87 when she peacefully passed away on January 29, 2014 from natural causes, in the home she loved and surrounded by her heart-broken devoted children. She was the best Mom in the world and is dearly loved and missed greatly by all who knew her! She is survived by her children: Laura Maine, Brenda (Mike) Hemmer, Cyndy Pecic (Laura Beer) and Bill Pitzer II; her grandchildren: Bill (Lydia) Maine, Tonya (Andrew) Wanko, Erica (Jeremy) Sapp, Jennifer Hemmer, and Jim (Crystal) Pecic; great grandchildren: Sadie Maine, Trini Maine, Kaylan Sapp, Nick Maine, Bo Pecic, and Billie Pecic. Also surviving her are sisters Eileen Guirino, Viola Hendricks, Bonnie Barnett, and brother Elwood Jordan. She was preceded in death by her husband Bill, sisters Reba Cattorini, Geraldine Hahn, brother Virgil Jordan, and her parents, Charlotte and James Jordan.

Mom will be remembered for her love and unique, contagious laugh. You could identify her in a crowded room just by the sound of her laughter. Oh, how we'll miss that laugh!

There is a line from an Irving Berlin song that expresses how we feel about Mom:

"The song is ended, but the melody lingers on."