Norma Michel McDonald
Norma Michel McDonald, age 79, Florence, passed away April 2, 2010 at Glenwood Nursing and Rehabilitation Center.
Mrs. McDonald was a native of Walker County, AL and graduated from Dora High School and attended Florence State Teachers College.
She was preceded in death by her husband C. J. "Buddie" McDonald, her parents Albert and Renee Michel and her brother A. B Michel, Jr. She is survived by her sons and daughters-in-law; Mike and Karen McDonald (Florence, AL) and Chuck and Cheryl McDonald (Lilburn, GA); her beloved grandchildren Caitlin, Logan, Connor, Devin and Carson; her sister and brother-in-law Marie and Roger Mathews (Fairhope, AL), two nieces and 2 nephews and her many friends.
Norma was a wonderful wife, mother, nana, sister, aunt and friend. Everyone who knew her just loved her. She possessed such a giving and loving spirit that will be greatly missed. Many crossed her path over the years at the United Cerebral Palsy Center in Sheffield where she was a teacher for over 40 years. She truly loved all her special "babies", and they loved her right back! This was her calling, to love these children and help them achieve the most possible in life. She was someone who made a difference on this earth and affected many lives. The light of Norma's life were her grandchildren and she delighted in all their activities and accomplishments.
As a life long member of First United Methodist Church of Florence, Norma was part of a loving church family as well. Their love, prayers and visits really meant a lot to her and her family as she neared the end.
The family would like to thank Drs. Hemant Patel, Karl Hagler, Patrick Daugherty and the staff of Northwest Alabama Cancer Center, Dr. David Hobbs, and Dr. Barton Guthrie and staff at UAB Medical Center for caring for her during her long battle with cancer. Thanks also to the ECM 6th west nursing staff, the staff at J. W. Sommer Rehabilitation Unit, and very special thanks to the wonderful staff at Glenwood Rehabilitation Center who took such loving care of Norma during her final days. We cannot thank them enough.
The family would also like to thank caregivers June Cole and Amy Wright, special friend Marilyn Mager, special roommate Mrs. Janette Chandler and special neighbor Mr. Lloyd Haddock.
A memorial service will be held at First United Methodist Church on Friday, April 9 at 2:30 p.m. in her honor. A reception for family and friends will be held at Norma's home at 2217 Cloyd Blvd., Florence after the service. In lieu of flowers, donations in her honor may be made to the United Cerebral Palsy Center, 507 N. Hook St., Sheffield, AL 35674 (256-381-4310), the American Cancer Society, 104 S. Poplar St., Florence, AL 35630 (256-767-0823 / 800-227-2345) or the First United Methodist Church of Florence, 415 N. Seminary St., Florence, AL 35630 (256-764-5072)