Norma Creswick

When reflecting on the life of Norma Creswick, it is easy to see that there was no greater joy in her life than the love she shared with the family she treasured. She worked hard in everything she did, and her genuine servant’s heart was a true inspiration to all who were near. As a devoted wife and mother, Norma was so thankful to witness her family tree blossom to include grandchildren. Life will never be the same without her here, but she leaves behind a priceless collection of memories that her friends and loved ones will forever hold near and dear to their hearts.

The 1950s were an exciting time in America. Elvis Presley introduced the world to rock ’n roll while James Dean and Marilyn Monroe were big names on the silver screen. With televisions becoming part of our homes, shows like Father Knows Best gave us an inside peek into how we viewed a typical family of the time. This was an exciting time in the lives of Gerald Rex and Carmen Rafaela (Fagundo) Colvin as they announced the birth of the baby girl they named Norma Jean on June 18, 1952. Her earliest years were spent living in the family home at 1832 Berkley in Wyoming, Michigan, alongside her siblings, Carmen, Ron, Maria, Harry, and Gerald. Norma’s father was in the military and also worked as a CPA while her mother was a homemaker who also worked in clerical supplies for the Kent County Medical Department. Their home was certainly a bustling place, but Norma was close to all of her siblings.

In many ways Norma was a young girl of her generation. Although they were unable to take vacations since money was tight, holidays were always a time great fun when everyone was all together. Norma enjoyed things like riding her bike, playing with her dolls, roller skating, and playing with her brother, Leroy. She learned skills that she would carry into her adult life such as sewing, baking, taking care of her siblings, and babysitting. As a student Norma attended Lee Street Middle School and Grandville High School, graduating in 1970. As a family they were members of Lee Street Christian Reformed Church and later of South Grandville Christian Reformed Church.

Not to be forgotten during her high school years was Norma’s introduction to the young man of her dreams. His name was Steven Creswick, and his locker was next to Norma’s. As the story goes she would bring him cookies she baked while in home economics, and in time he finally gave in to her persistence so they started hanging out and dating. Their dating relationship started in 1968 while in high school, and they continued dating all through college. With a desire to spend their lives together Norma and Steven were married on December 27, 1974, in her home church, South Grandville Christian Reformed Church. The newlyweds took a honeymoon the following spring as they went on a car trip to New Orleans and then back up through the Smokey Mountains.

There was never anything that was more important to Norma than her loved ones. At first she and her husband lived in an apartment on Ivanrest in Grandville, and after a few years they purchased a small farm on 64th Street near Byron Center. This was the place they called home until the fall of 1981 when they moved to Lafayette, Indiana. This was where they raised their children, Lisa Ann and Rebecca Lee. Over the years, some of their best memories were made on vacations. Together they went to Portland, Oregon, in 1984. On this trip Lisa learned not to vomit into the wind and also bashed her face on a giant cement dinosaur that knocked her teeth out. Their trip to San Diego in 1990 was also eventful as Becky’s skirt was eaten by a llama while at Balboa Park. Norma was also nearly arrested on this trip for stealing pine cones at Torey Pines State Park. In 1988 they went on a cruise and to Disney World. When her girls grew older and had families of their own, Norma couldn’t have been more thrilled. She traveled to see them when they were born as she and Steven moved back to Ravenna, Michigan, in 2001.

Throughout her life Norma was always on the go. She spent many hours serving others. Norma often volunteered at her church, Lafayette Christian Reformed Church, including with Calvinettes, choir, Sunday school classes, vacation Bible school, and the women's sewing group. She also volunteered at Lafayette Christian School as a teacher's aid, secretary, school cook, and with various fundraisers and activities. Norma worked in a variety of positions over the years including as a bookkeeper, secretary, road maintenance dispatching, gift basket design, check in clerk at Purdue University Student Health Center, and as a line operator at Gentex Corporation form 2001 through 2018. Norma was amazing in the kitchen, and among her family’s favorite things were her Aunt Celia's Arroz Con Pollo, which is a Latin dish of chicken and rice, whitefish, asparagus and hollandaise sauce, and plenty of baked goods like cookies and brownies. Norma loved their trip to Atlantic Beach, North Carolina, in 2016 when they went to Fort Macon State Park and out on the boat to Carrot Island. Since she had only been retired for a short time, she didn’t get much time for traveling. However, she did like heading to the casino - a lot. Norma also enjoyed shopping for her grandkids, Braedon, Johnny, Ben, Sammy, Charlie, and Grace, as well as going out to dinner with friends. She also kept busy sewing onesies, reading mysteries and romance novels, and listening to some of her favorite music. Norma had quite a sweet tooth, and she loved eating out since it meant she didn’t have to cook.

With unending love for others, Norma Creswick, blessed so many others in such a special way. She worked hard, but nothing was better than enjoying life with the ones she loved most. Deeply loved, Norma will be forever missed.

Norma Jean Creswick, age 68, passed away in the comfort of her home surrounded by her family on Saturday, September 26, 2020 after a courageous battle with Pulmonary Fibrosis. Norma was born in Grand Rapids, MI in the summer of 1952 to the late Gerald and Carmen Colvin. She is also preceded in death by her brother Leroy Colvin. She is survived by her husband of 46 years, Steven Creswick; their two daughters Lisa Ann (Robert) Reister and Rebecca Saenz (Derek) Dubay; her beloved 6 grandchildren; siblings Carmen (Don) Bergman, Ron (Linda) Colvin, Maria Lopez and Gerald (Jody) Colvin as well as many nieces, nephews, in-laws and dear friends. Funeral services will take place on Saturday, October 3, 2020 at 10 AM under the outside tent at Heritage Life Story Funeral Home, Alt-Shawmut Chapel, (2120 Lake Michigan Drive NW, Grand Rapids MI 49504). Friends may visit with family on Friday, October 2, 2020 at the funeral home from 6-8 PM as well as for one hour prior to the funeral service on Saturday beginning at 9 AM. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a memorial contribution in memory of Norma to: Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation, (111 Presidential Blvd., Suite 203, Bala Cynwyd, PA 19004, https://www.alexslemonade.org) To read more of Norma's life story, leave a memory or sign her guest book please visit www.heritagelifestory.com