MAGDALENA NORWOOD (1940-2022)
Magdalena Norwood (1940-2022), known to her family and friends as Lilly, has gone to be with all of her dogs and friends that went before her.
She was a force of nature … often referred to as our “little German energizer bunny”. She never missed an opportunity to scold and advise us that we really ought to teach our pets proper manners. She said, “The meaner and crazier they are the more we have to love them.”
The meanest, most cantankerous, insecure dogs and people were drawn to her … coincidence? I think not. She once encountered a burglar in her home … she got a frying pan and a kitchen knife and told the young man, “You take nothing, you sit down and ‘stay or else’. He did so, afraid to move until the police arrived. She said, “They have to believe that you’re crazier than they are.” As many of you learned she perfected that art.
She once saw a young mother with two babies that had no socks or shoes in a store parking lot. She said, “You – with me, now, back in the store!” She told the clerk, “Shoes and socks for these children, coats all around.” She gave the young mother a couple hundred dollars and walked away. She wanted no thanks, nor attention. She told me … “How can I possibly enjoy my next meal, if these babies done have?!”
When they say, “sink or swim”, Lilly took that literally and to a whole new level. Those that know us well have learned that you have to love enough and then some more to put down the law and “tell it like it is”. There’s no room, no time for being anything less than honest.
She was a dedicated, loyal military wife to her husband, John, for 63 years. She was the most dedicated “ever” blue star grandma “Omi” to her grandson, Michael. She received many award letters from the U.S. Army for her dedicated, unwavering support of the troops and their morale.
She was an unrelentingly loving mom to Diana for 62 years … never easy, by any stretch of the imagination. She defined “tough love” by was always willing to give, to be there when the going got rough.
She was a “unique” mother-in-law to John B. never missing an opportunity to match wits with him and keep him “in line”, as well.
She was, by face, the best dog mom and dog, cat grandmother ever. She prided herself on her “Monty Python” BBC dry sense of humor. She shocked more than a few with it.
She actually spoke eight languages throughout her life and strived to learn all that she could, even p to the days prior to her passing.
She enjoyed the friendships of all of the folks in her neighborhood and at all of the dog parks, she never forgot a dog’s name and told us every story about the people at the other end of the leash, and there were a lot of those.
Albeit, her last months were a bit rocky; her last weeks were filled with all the love we could give, lots of cole slaw and chicken fried rice … and of course, a hand to hold.
Per her usual instructions, we will not miss her … only feel blessed and honored to have had her in our lives. Her presence will always be felt by everyone who had the opportunity to know her. So, smile when you think of her. “Chin up and carry on”! She would have demanded it.
There will be no funeral services or memorial services. In lieu of flowers, please give to your favorite charity.
Thanks to all our friends who rallied around these past months … like the calvary! There aren’t any words significant enough to convey our gratitude to the doctors, nurses, paramedics (EMTs), firefighters and police men and women who assisted us during these past months, in keeping her safe and secure as possible. Jack, you’re a priceless treasure.
Last, but absolutely not least, thank you Shay and Sam. She loved you like her own and worried about you until the end. I know this since she treated you and spoke of you in the same manner as John and myself.
Her favorite song, “My Rifle, My Pony and Me” as sung by Dean Martin, Ricky Nelson and Walter Brennan. Her favorite place, our dog grooming ship.
So long Lilly. “We’ll catch you on the flip side”.
Magdalena Norwood 1940-2022. Courtesy photo