Norma Jean Lillie

Obituary Norma Jean (LaRue) Lillie, 90, went home to heaven Dec. 26, 2022, just a half hour past Christmas day, with several of her daughters by her side. In the week leading up to Christmas, they made sure she got a huge dose of beautiful Christmas music, and anticipated her joy at not just HEARING the heavenly choir sing but joining that choir herself! Norma Jean LaRue was born Feb. 19, 1932 in Harrod, Ohio, youngest child of Guy and Ethel (Heath) LaRue, and grew up on the family farm, attending the Harrod Congregational-Christian Church with her parents. She was a proud graduate of Harrod High School in 1950. After working for a year, she enrolled at Ohio Northern University. As a freshman and member of the Chorus Choir, she caught the eye of senior, Roger Lillie, who remarked to his frat brothers who had asked about the girls in the chorus, "There's a pretty good-looking redhead." A few weeks later they worked the same shift at the Choral Cabaret, and that cinched it. They were married on Feb. 22, 1953. Then they parted for a time; Roger went back to his Army training and Norma continued at ONU, obtaining her B.S. in Music Education in 1955. Norma began her vocal music teaching career in the same school district she had attended, Auglaize Local School System, where she taught until they started their family. In 1959, she and Roger and their family of four young children, ages 0-3, moved to Ashtabula, Ohio. In 1961, they moved to the West 5th Street house where she spent the next 53 years. Two more children were added to the family. She resumed teaching music once the youngest was in grade school. She was music teacher at Washington Elementary, Thomas Jefferson and several other area elementary schools starting in 1969. She was the choral director at Harbor High School 1975-1979. After she ended her school teaching career in 1983, she spent many years giving piano and voice lessons. Two of her granddaughters benefitted from their grandma's patient teaching: Grace took to playing piano, while Kelsey preferred singing! Norma was actively involved in the ministries and programs of Lake Avenue (Harbor) United Methodist Church. She created beautiful flower arrangements, served as choir director and pianist, and was very active with the United Methodist Women, serving as president and program coordinator for many, many years. When the church closed in 2008, Roger and Norma became members of First United Methodist Church. She was a member of the Delphian Readers, sang in the Ashtabula Singers Guild under the direction of George Stenroos, and was a charter member of the Ashtabula County Choral Music Society. She used her children (who were sometimes willing participants) whenever she could, having them sing or play their instruments for various church and school programs. She often visited shut-ins and nursing home residents, setting a wonderful example of service for her children. Norma was also a dedicated election poll worker for many years and took great pride in doing her civic duty. Known by many as "The Cookie Lady," she was a master artist and will be most fondly remembered for her exquisitely decorated cut-out cookies. Kevin's daughters, Grace and Kelsey, carry in their hearts the fun memories of baking and frosting cookies with Grandma. She was also known for her delicious apple pies (homemade crust and crumb topping), and with the addition of two sons-in-law to the family (Phil and Rod), she made sure to make a pecan pie whenever they visited, which they happily consumed. In later years, she enjoyed attending Harrod's all-class alumni banquets as both former student and teacher. She enjoyed hiking, bird-watching, going to the Covered Bridge Festivals with Roger, as well as music and singing. Her children and grandchildren continue to enjoy many of these activities. She encouraged her family in all their artistic expressions by always keeping a well-stocked drawer of crayons and markers, coloring books and paper, paints and stickers. Life changed dramatically for Norma in 2001, when Roger suffered a stroke. She went from passenger to driver, learning whatever she needed to take wonderful care of him until his death in 2010. In 2014, daughters Laura and Lynne and son-in-law Rod moved Norma to their shared home in Quakertown, Pa., and they feel very blessed to have had her with them for the last eight years. The family had the pleasure of celebrating her 90th birthday there this past February. Survivors include her six children, Bruce Lillie, Bowling Green, Ohio; Kevin (Gayle) Lillie, Geneva, Ohio; Laura Lillie, Quakertown, Pa.; Gail (Phil) Wenger, Washington DC; Lynne (Rod) Rush, Quakertown, Pa., and Ann (Doug) Briggs, Nashport, Ohio; former daughter-in-law, Karen Gilliland; nine grandchildren, Lorielle (Blayne) Bible, Brianna Lillie, Kathryn (Matt Winnie), Alex, Josh, Grace (Andrew Birkhoff) and Kelsey Lillie, Ben and Emily Rush; and six great-grandchildren, Emma, Melvin, Margaret, Arlieta and Leo Bible, and William Lillie. Also surviving are sisters-in-law Clara Moisio, Jefferson, Ohio, and Kay Lillie, Ashtabula, Ohio, and many nieces and nephews. Norma was preceded in death by her devoted husband, Roger Lillie; siblings Weldon (Mary) LaRue, Preston (Elsie) LaRue, Hope Kaliher, Opal (George) Harvey, and her oldest sister Marjorie who died before she was born. Memorial services will be held Sunday, Jan. 1, at 2:00 P.M. at First United Methodist Church, Ashtabula, Ohio. Calling from 1:00-2:00 P.M. and Sunday, Jan. 15,at 2:00 P.M. at Quakertown United Methodist Church, Quakertown, Pa. Call from 1:00-2:00 P.M. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to First UMC Memorial Fund, 4506 Elm Ave., Ashtabula OH 44004; Harrod Alumni Association Scholarship Fund, c/o Allen East Local Schools, 9105 Harding Hwy, Harrod OH 45850 (checks may be made payable to Allen East Local Schools, memo: Harrod Alumni Scholarship Fund); Quakertown UMC Memorial Fund, 1875 Freier Road, Quakertown PA 18951; or St. Luke's Hospice, 2455 Black River Road, Bethlehem PA 18015, Web: http://5639.thankyou4caring.org/sslpage.aspx?pid=375 Services Visitation Sunday January 1, 2023 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM First United Methodist Church 4506 Elm Ave. Ashtabula, OH 44004 Memorial Service Sunday January 1, 2023 2:00 PM First United Methodist Church 4506 Elm Ave. Ashtabula, OH 44004 Visitation Sunday January 15, 2023 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM Quakertown United Methodist Church 1875 Freier Rd. Quakertown, PA 18951 Memorial Service Sunday January 15, 2023 2:00 PM Quakertown United Methodist Church 1875 Freier Rd. Quakertown, PA 18951