Norma Phalen

Norma J. Phalen, 82, of Cape Girardeau passed away peacefully at her home Sunday, May 19, 2013.

She was born Aug. 6, 1930, in Peoria, Ill., daughter of James N. Jansen and Marie T. Jansen. Norma grew up in Pekin, Ill., and St. Petersburg, Fla. She attended Sweetbrier College in Lynchburg, Va., and Bradley University in Peoria, where she was a member of Pi Beta Phi Sorority. Norma and Robert J. Phalen, Jr. were married Nov. 1, 1952, in Pekin.

Survivors include her husband, Robert; a sister, Barbara de Blank of Falmouth, Mass.; daughters, Molly Bronaugh (Stewart) of Nashville, Tenn., Meg Bertolami (John) of Cornish, N.H., Cary Rayson (Scott) of Nashville, Kate Stevens (Martin) of Marshfield, Mass., and Beth Howes (Ted) of South Salem, N.Y.; and 13 wonderful grandchildren, Robert (Andrea), Caroline, Mary and Stewart III Bronaugh, Isabelle and Sophie Bertolami, George, Jack and Caroline Rayson James and Andrew Stevens and Meg and Sam Howes.

She was preceded in death by her son, Jimmy Phalen, and a grandson, Thomas Rayson.

Norma is remembered by family and friends for her intelligence, her sense of humor and her empathy for people less fortunate than she. After raising her children, she was a devoted and beloved grandmother. In later years, Norma helped coordinate Adoration at the Saint Francis Medical Center Chapel and served as a weekly volunteer at the Salvation Army.

Visitation will be from 5 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at Ford and Sons Mount Auburn Funeral Home.

Funeral Mass will be at 10 a.m. Thursday at Old St. Vincent's Church, with the Rev. Tom Kiefer officiating. Burial will be in St. Mary Cemetery.

Donations to the Salvation Army and Southeast Hospice will be accepted in lieu of flowers.

Online condolences may be made at fordandsonsfuneralhome.com.