A visitation for Norma N. Basore, 87, Lawrence, will be 3-4:30 pm, Sunday, January 4, 2015, at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home. Private burial will take place at a later date in Neodesha, KS.
She died Thursday, January 1, at Lawrence Memorial Hospital.
Norma was born September 10, 1927, in Altoona, KS, the daughter of Luther Jackson Cunningham and Helen Winnie Carver Cunningham. She graduated from Neodesha High School.
Norma married Herschel Wesley Basore on August 17, 1946 in Neodesha, Kansas. He preceded her in death on July 31, 1975.
She began her career in school food service in 1964 in Neodesha, Kansas and later in Alvin, Texas. She worked as a manager for USD 497 in the Food Service Department in Lawrence from 1977 until 2011 and served at West Junior High, Quail Run Elementary, Free State High School and the USD 497 Service Center. She treasured the friendships that she made in the school district over years.
Norma loved cooking nutritious meals for the students, and especially making homemade meals for her family. She loved her family dearly, and knew each of her family members’ favorite foods and treats, which she always tried to prepare them for family gatherings and holidays.
She was especially fond of baking, and was famous for her homemade pies. For several years in a row she baked homemade pies for family and friends in Athens, Texas during the Christmas holidays. Her friends lovingly called the annual event “Pie Night.” She always enjoyed seeing her special friends from Bingo at the Eagles weekly, and they all looked after and encouraged one another.
She served for many years as treasurer for the Women’s Auxiliary Organization of the American Legion.
Survivors include daughter and son-in-law, Carolyn and Steve Wiles, Lawrence, KS; son and daughter-in-law Steve and Sheri Basore, Athens, TX; grandchildren, Tommy Wiles, Aurora, CO; Kaci Nowak, Mundelein, IL; Joseph Wiles, Lawrence, KS; Jeremy Basore, Crowley, TX; Alanna Urtiaga, San Antonio, TX and Jennifer Tompkins, Lufkin, TX; great-grandchildren, Audrye Tompkins, Dustye Tompkins, Avrye Tompkins, Ethan Bowland, Annalyn “Annie” Nowak and Styles Robert Wiles; brother Dale Cunningham, Seneca, SC, as well nieces and nephews, cousins and a host of many friends.
Memorial contributions in her honor may be sent in care of the funeral home to support the American Legion, or First Baptist Church Athens, TX for the Ethiopia Medical Mission, or to Senior Meals Program in Lawrence.
Please leave a condolence message below.
I am so sorry for the loss. She was a wonderful Lady, and know she will be missed. Please take care.
R.I.P. NORMA! Thanks for the memories and the receipies you shared! I enjoyed your company everyday that we were employed together! PEACE to You My Dear Friend!
Carolyn,
So sorry for the loss of your mom. You were there with her in the end giving her the comfort and peace that she needed. Prayers for strength during the time.
Love,
Julie
a good person.
My Aunt Norma was never seen outside the kitchen. From as far back as I can remember there was always a “quiet” contest in the kitchen on who was the best cook, who made the best pies etc. I second sister Cathys comments about home grown tomatoes and fried chicken. That was back in the dark ages you fried chicken in lard, guess that’s what made it so tasty. Sister Patti and cousin Steve Basore were always trying to see who could eat more at the dinner table. She would let us have whole cream with cereal (I assume came from great Aunt Nellie Hall’s cow).Aunt Norma had a quick wit about her. She was a loving aunt, mother, grandmother, sister and friend. I cant wait to see her again at heavens gate with a hot pie in her hands.
Our thought and prayers have been with you all as you come together to reflect on the wonderful memories Norma shared with each of you! The coming months will continue to bring such happy memories to light as wel as sadness in not being able to just pick up the phone and give her a call!
Carrie, I’m planning on coming back there towards the end of January once we get back so we can really have a good talk!
Love to all of you!
Jesse and I never met anyone like Norma! We loved it when she came to visit! She never sat still and as a result we had wonderful “Pie Nights!” She just took over the kitchen and loved it that way and we did too! She dearly loved her family and talked proudly of them. Thank you, Sheri and Steve for sharing her with all your Athens friends. She will be missed. We love you all.
Daring sister, I am proud of you for the life that shard with us and others. You were the good wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend. And, definitely the best sister that I ever had (being the only one!). You left so quickly hat I didn’t get a chance to say ‘goodbye’. In past years when we parted, you would say, “I love you, brother”, and I would reply “I love you too, sis!” So. this fare well is not different, “I love you, sis!”
Norma, The loved ones you’ve left behind (for now) can take comfort knowing you’ll be watching over them. It was wonderful that we grew closer over the years despite having many miles between us. I love you sister. May you rest in eternal peace.
Norma was one of my special cousins. There are many memories of family gatherings and great food by many cooks as I grew up, and in later life Norma’s pies. I remember attending her wedding, at age 11, and going to her home to see newly born Carolyn, who was the first child born into the family in my memory.
Aunt Norma definitely left us with many memories. I, too, remember her pies. I can remember Aunt Norma and my mother digging up potatoes on Grandpa’s farm, putting up chickens (thank goodness Aunt Norma and my mother did the plucking of feathers), and husking of corn. And of course, everyone getting together for Sunday dinners. So many more memories. It truly saddens me to hear of your loss. I know she had health issues, but she will truly be missed. Our deepest sympathy to Carolyn and Steve and their families.
Janice Basore McCart
My deepest sympathy to the family of Norma Basore. I had the pleasure of knowing this sweet lady, as her hair stylist for many years, unfortunately I never had the pleasure of sampling her infamous pies. She was a jewel and always a bright spot in my day!
Many of my fond memories of Aunt Norma are from years long ago while my sisters and I were growing up. These were tough times as our parents were recovering from the depression era so our family fun time every other summer were trips taken to Kansas to visit relatives. It was always a contest between Aunt Norma, Aunt Nellie and Grandma Porter who could make the better chocolate cream pie. During that visit there was always home fried chicken, mashed potatoes, gravy, home grown sliced tomatoes and corn on the cobb.
Aunt Norma made me my first butter pecan milk shake when she worked for a short time at some type of dairy parlor.
She was a good hearted person and loved those she served.
I pray the memories we all hold dear will sustain us through this difficult time of loss.
She is at peace now with Uncle Hershel, Aunt Nellie, Grandma & Grandpa Carver, Grandma Porter and Mom.
We loved your mom. She was always so sweet to us when we had the privilege to visit with her. We are so sorry for your loss. We love you both and pray that God wraps his arms around you and your family.
Loved her coconut cream pie and Steve loved her chocolate. She was a special lady that will be greatly missed by all
Steve and Leanna.
What can I say? Norma was one of a kind. She was one of the hardest working ladies I’ve ever known. She couldn’t stand to sit around doing nothing. Whether it was raking leaves or baking her famous pies, she stayed busy. I will always cherish the memories I have of Norma’s Pie Night in Athens.
I was saddened to learn of Norma’s passing from my Dad today. I have fond memories of visiting her & Hershal in Neodesha when I was growing up. Our family’s thoughts and prayers are with all of you.
This was one of my best friend, second mom and mother of Steve Basore who is like my brother. There are too many good memories to pick from as to which is the best. But she will be missed and thankful to have had the relationship I got so share with such a great lady. Rest in Peace and pray we will meet again in heaven. Your second son Nick.
We loved Norma very much and treasure our memories of the time spent with her. We pray for God to comfort her precious family that she loved so much.
Norma will be missed.
What a remarkable woman and what a legacy she has left for her family. May the God of all comfort, comfort you in your sorrow as you grieve the loss of your dear mother and grandmother. Your family is in our thoughts and prayers.