- Date Of Birth: February 12, 1933
- Date Of Death: June 5, 2022
- State: Colorado
Norma Williams Rogers
February 12, 1933 – June 5, 2022
Norma grew up as an only child in Ducktown, Tennessee. Orphaned at the age of seventeen, she graduated high school and took a job in Memphis,TN where she quickly realized she would need an education if she wanted to get ahead in life.
Norma graduated Fort Sanders School of Nursing in Knoxville, TN class of 1955. Her roommates remember her as a cutup who loved to go out and have fun, although they also remember her as one of those rare individuals who didn’t need to study to earn A’s.
In 1956 Norma enlisted in the Navy as an officer and was stationed in Guam. Traveling was one of Norma’s greatest passions and the Navy gave her the opportunity to explore new places. She often said she didn’t know where the plane was going so the only things she packed were a swimsuit and a winter uniform because she didn’t know what the temperature would be like when she arrived!
While stationed in Guam Norma met Warren Rogers. They had many adventures together during their time there. Norma was sure if she hadn’t met Warren she would have been career Navy because she loved it that much. But alas, she said yes to Warren and they moved to Colorado where they were married in 1959. Norma received a letter of appreciation from the Commanding Officer of the U.S.
Norma worked as an ER and Operating Room nurse at St. Luke’s in Denver for several years then decided to study at Regis University in Denver to become a Nurse Practitioner.
After receiving her diploma from Regis, Norma and Warren built a home in Elbert County. Norma began working as Elbert County Public Health Director in 1972. While working in Elbert, Norma was elected as the first President of the Colorado County Nurses Association (CCNA) in 1977.
Retired from Elbert County in 1991, Norma wasn’t ready to quit working and continued as a contract nurse practitioner for several years including Limon Correctional Facility for three years and two years with Valley Hope of Parker rehab facility.
Warren and Norma were members of a travel club that enabled them to take many cruises and see exotic places. Some of those trips included the Panama Canal, a hot air balloon ride over the Serengeti while on safari in Africa, a canoe trip down the Amazon, Bora Bora, observing Polar Bears in the wild, and riding camels.
In 1997 Warren passed away due to cancer. Right before Warren passed, they sold their home in Elbert and moved to Parker, CO with the thought that it would be easier to take care of in retirement. Many of the neighbors in Parker became dear friends of Norma and were a wonderfully supportive community for her. She always said she had the privilege of getting to choose her family. “Family is a circle of friends who care about you.” -Unknown
Norma enjoyed many interests including dancing, sewing, reading, and cooking. She was an excellent cook and loved to entertain guests. On the dance floor Norma was often told “the only thing that could be seen were teeth and legs” and the thought of that always made her grin. Her enthusiasm for fine dining and plush treatment on vacation could only be rivaled by her love of animals. Norma’s pets were dear to her heart. Over the years, cats and dogs were treated like royalty and members of the family in the Rogers home. Norma never quit traveling and continued to take many trips with her Godchildren and friends. This included excursions to Australia and Paris among others.
Vibrant, dynamic, and helping people with their business until the very end, Norma lived and loved boldly.
