- Date Of Birth: January 7, 1915
- Date Of Death: November 14, 2012
- State: Indiana
Norma Marceil Long Collings, 97, of Carmel, passed away on November 14, 2012 at Summer Trace Nursing Facility in Carmel.
Norma was born in Decatur on January 7, 1915. She was the daughter of Frank and Clema Long and little sister to Bill, Audrey and Helen. On the week of her birthday, the Rocky Mountain National Park was established and the first stone for the Lincoln Memorial was put into place. World War I was underway and on May 3, John McCrae wrote the poem, “In Flanders Field”, one of Norma’s favorite poems. She met and married Kenneth Collings in 1933 and they were married for 42 years until his death in 1981. Norma loved poetry and often collected quotations of some of her favorite authors and national leaders. She was a staunch supporter of education and encouraged her children to go to college – a privilege that neither she nor Kenneth ever had the opportunity to enjoy.
They both fervently believed in higher education’s power to transform lives. Norma loved to play golf and collect antiques – especially antique dolls. Anyone who knew her well realized she had a real gift for reading handwriting and often was asked to entertain at parties or consult with employers who sent her the writing of prospective employees. She was a loyal fan of the Indiana Hoosier Basketball team and never missed a game on television. One of Norma’s best attributes was that she never stopped learning. She had a real passion for new ideas and new ways of thinking. Until she was unable to do so, she attended Madison Park Church of God.
She is survived by her children, William Collings Valerie of Greensburg and daughters, Kay Sandifer Jim of Carmel, Rebecca Jean Downey Mike of El Paso, Texas, and Jayne Lutze Ralph of Anderson; grandchildren, David Collings, Clayton Collings, Lindsay Collings, Laura Modica, Jennifer Sturges, William Robbins, Edward Sandifer, Susanna Sandifer, Carey Gribben, Jason Smith, Kenny Layne; and great grandchildren, Betsy Sandifer, Jack Sandifer, Martin Collings, Kevin Collings, Alexis Layne and William Layne.
