Normareen Buvens Smith

While I only met Normareen two years ago, I loved her immediately. Even though in ill health, she was always smiling,
gracious, and witty. I treasure the Wednesday afternoon I spent with her. They meant more to me than to Normareen.
Thank you Mario and Darla for that opportunity. May God bless you as you grieve your loss and rejoice that she sings with angels.

Mario & family

My thoughts and prayers are with you at this time.

Loretta Burgess

Dear Seth and Family,We were so sorry to here of your Mothers passing.We know what you have gone through just know your Mother loved you all ,it showed in her face and her actions.I know she will be missed and you are all in our prayers. Love, Lester and Linda Woods

Dear Cousins: I send you my deepest condolences. We all feel the sense of profound loss. Death is the great mystery, but we have the much greater assurances that Normareen, radiant as always, is in the shining presence of God. As second cousins, Normareen and I had a special affinity: She was born in December 1930, I in October 1930, and we both lost our fathers when we were young children. We greatly enjoyed remembering the old Parrott-Buvens connection in Sabine Parish. She has left you a remarkable legacy to be cherrished. I'm sorry I cannot be with you at Fort Jesup. I am remembering her. Your cousin, Bob Parrott

I was the reporter who wrote the story of the "All American Family" featuring Mrs. Smith and her beautiful family. After all these years, I still remember her warmth and how much fun we had that day helping Frank Cricchio take the great color photos for the Sunday feature (it was, if I remember correctly, the first time the PA News used a color photo on the lifestyle section's cover page!).
My condolences go to the family of Normareen, and I hope it brings some comfort to you all to know that her energy and joviality created an endearing and lasting memory reaching through time from 1972 until today.

What a beautiful obituary, for a beautiful woman. Our thoughts are with you all.

Mario & Family,

My heartfelt sympathy on the loss of your dear mother, mother-in-law, and grandmother. May cherished memories live on forever in your hearts and may God's love bring you peace and comfort in the days and weeks ahead. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.

Love,

Cheryl Havel

Normareen was such a dear and vibrant woman and an incredible mother and wife. She lives in eternity now, free from illness. God's peace be with you, family.

Dear Seth, Carl and I are so very sorry for your loss. From her picture, it's easy to see why you're so handsome. She was beautiful. Sincerely, Judy and Carl West

Dearest Norma and family,
I saw this prayer and thought of you. Our sincere condolences to you and your family.

"My mother is gone, loving God. I am so grateful I was at her side as she breathed her last, her agony complete. She lived a full and complete life and all of us felt relieved, for a moment, when she finally slipped away to be at your side.

But now I am left with the sorrow and grief. My mother is gone. My mother who had been a part of my life for each day of it, is not here. I have such a sadness and it surprises me.

Watching that decline was hard over the years and I grieved every time I saw her. I was letting her go with each visit as she slowly moved through the sacred "thin spaces" to be with us a little less each day, and as she drew a little closer to you each day.

Help me to rejoice with my mother in her new life of the resurrection. This is what her faith taught her and help that belief bring me comfort in my sorrow."

Much love,
Art and Rose Rivas