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Norma M. Phillips
JACKSONVILLE, FL - Norma M. Phillips, 80, of Glandorf OH, died 3:15pm, Saturday, January 28, 2023, at Baptist Medical Center in Jacksonville FL. She was born January 29, 1942, in Greensburg Township, OH to the late Alfred and Theresa (Stechschulte) Buddelmeyer. She married Thomas Brinkman June 20, 1964, and they moved numerous times around the Northeast while raising their four children. Norma was known for her love of cooking, for which she gifted each of her children with a beautifully handwritten cookbook full of their favorite recipes. You couldn’t ask for a better mom. She was also known for her adventurous spirit and took gourmet cooking lessons, loved to try any craft such as macramé and ceramics, played racquetball, was a great interior decorator, and she especially loved her job managing the China, Silver and Crystal Bridal Registry at the G Fox department store in Trumbull Ct. Norma was loved and cherished for her phenomenal ability to connect with people everywhere she went.
On September 6, 1989, she married William (Bill) Phillips, a Vietnam Veteran who she cared for until his passing in 2017. While residing with him in the Asheville area, she was a trusted employee of the locally owned, Clydesdale Bank (HomeTrust Bank). She also supported Bill’s love of music (he played at music festivals and published several CDs) and baked thousands of cookies, cakes, breads, and pies for her many friends and associates up in the Blue Ridge Mountains. At age 52, she was diagnosed with Myasthenia Gravis, which started her almost 30-year battle against the disease. She enjoyed a year in Salt Lake City, UT with her son Matt and her daughter Christine and her family. Norma finally settled in Jacksonville FL in 2012, to be close to her daughter Michelle and her family, who cared for her every need, from doctor’s appointments to the occasional technology crisis. Norma lived in Sundale Manor for the last 10 years where she became well known for her resident advocacy as a member of the board of directors. One of her proudest achievements was championing the purchase of an activity bus for the residents.
She maintained lifelong relationships with her childhood friends in Ohio, and especially enjoyed annual visits from the “Dogwood Gang”. Norma stayed in close contact with her siblings and extended family her entire life. She was an incredible Grandma - and even though she didn’t always live close to her grandchildren, she never failed to send encouraging and loving texts, notes, and cards to all of them regularly, and would bake them all their favorite cakes and goodies for their visits. You couldn’t find a more thoughtful or faithful person. Most of all, she relied on her staunch faith in the Lord. She found comfort in watching EWTN on TV and practiced her Catholic faith actively in the Sundale community. She also loved and appreciated those who supported her during these difficult last few years - and her family would like to extend special acknowledgement to her many doctors, nurses, religious leaders, administrators, and many many others who helped her continue to live independently at Sundale. At the end, she was surrounded by her children who had come to celebrate her birthday but ended up celebrating her full life.
She is survived by her children, Michael (Julie) Brinkman of Durham, N.C., Christine (George) Burckle of Salt Lake City, U.T., Michelle (Russell) Pearson of Fleming Island, F.L. and Matt (partner Alex Lund) Brinkman of Salt Lake City U.T., 7 grandchildren Ashley (Zack) Kaplan, Dakota Brinkman, Megan Brinkman, Hillary Pearson, Nicholas Pearson, and Kate Burckle and siblings: Mary Jane Inkrott, Indianapolis, IN, Henry (Darlene) Buddelmeyer, Glandorf, Clete (June) Buddelmeyer, Fairborn, OH, RoseAnn (Gene) Warnecke, Glandorf, Margie (Tom) Scarberry, Ottawa; and sister-in-law Marvell Buddelmeyer, Glandorf. She is predeceased in death by a sister, JoAnn Balbaugh; her brothers Thomas and Jim Buddelmeyer, and three brothers-in-law: Norm Balbaugh, Steve Inkrott, and Charles Nienberg.
A Mass of Christian Burial will begin at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, March 18, 2023, at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, Glandorf. Burial to follow in the church cemetery. There will be short visitation with her children and their families from 9:30-10:15 a.m. at the church and a luncheon after burial at the Parish Center.
Memorial donations may be made in her name to Florida Christian Center ATTN: Kimberly Weir. 1115 Edgewood Ave. S. , Jacksonville FL 32205 or at www.FLchristiancenter.org and please designate that it is specifically for an additional minivan they are trying to purchase (mom knew they really needed an additional van to help more handicap residents such as herself!)
Condolences may be expressed at www.lovefuneralhome.com
Florida Christian Center
1115 Edgewood Ave. S., Jacksonville FL 32205
Web: http://www.FLchristiancenter.org