Norma Darlene Courtain Founds Hamilton, was born on April 1st, 1931, in Norton, Kansas.
She was one of 11 children; 9 boys and 2 girls. I think that being only one of two girls in a passel of boys helped her to be so tough!
Since I have only really known Mom for the last 5 1/2 years, (but Dean for almost 29 now), I can only tell what I know personally, and I will add in what I have seen and heard - and what I can remember. One of the first things that I wanted Mom to know, which I did in a card to her right after we were married, was how I know that Dean had such a wonderful Mom, because she raised such a wonderful son. She was so tickled by that.
Mom married Dad, Wesley Carl Founds, on October 10th, 1949. They were married until Dad's passing in November, 1997.
She remarried in September of 1998 to Hugh Joe Hamilton, who passed in January of 2014.
I know that Mom loved her family, and worked hard to take care of them.
Life was not always easy for her, but she was a trooper and a fighter (in a good way), and never faltered.
She always tried to have goodies for anyone who came to see her, and I heard from a few of her Grandchildren within the last few days, of how she would make batches of cookies, but then their Uncles would take the older cookies and put them up front of the containers for the little ones, and they'd eat the fresher ones. I had to laugh, as I could see Dean doing that.... or at least him eating all the ones with any type of chocolate and leaving the others for everyone else.
Mom was a tiny little firecracker.
She had so much energy to the end.
She loved her flowers, loved her Pomeranian's, and loved to dance, especially to Conway Twitty.
In the hospital, when Conway Twitty was played, her face would light up.
We talked about how she loved to dance, and she said 'I could cut a rug'.
One thing I remember and smile about, is how at family picnics and Christmas potlucks, she HAD to have her chicken; and boy, look out! she's coming to the dessert table! For such a tiny lady, she could put away the sweets.
One Christmas she was unable to get to the family gathering, so TWO people took her full plates of food, without knowing the other was going to! Everyone knew how she would appreciate it greatly, and she did.
Looking through some of the photo albums, it was clear to see how much she loved life. She always had such a beautiful, fun smile on her face, and it makes me smile just to see those pictures.
Mom not only was a mother to nine children, but she was also a registered nurse, caring for many others.
Her children are/were,
Terry Founds (deceased), Tom Founds (deceased), Wesley Dean Founds, Fred Founds, Michael Founds, Jody Founds Light, Rick Founds, Brian Founds (deceased), Sally Founds Valentine.
She also was the Grandmother to many Grandchildren and Great Grandchildren.
Gone, but never forgotten.
Daughter, Sister, Wife, Mother, Grandmother, Great Grandmother ~ Norma Darlene
Written by Twenka Founds