Norma G. (Perry) Tenney

Norma G. Tenney, age 88, of Ashtabula, Ohio went home to be with her heavenly Father on September 19, 2019 after a long struggle with dementia.  Norma was born on June 2, 1931 in Adrian, West Virginia, the daughter of the late Frank Pierce and Hallie Williams Perry.  On June 3, 1950, she and Virgil D. Tenney were united in marriage at the former Harris Memorial Presbyterian Church in Ashtabula and remained lifelong partners for 56 years until his death on May 16, 2006. 

Norma was a stay-at-home mother to their two daughters until she began working as a part time sales associate at the Carlisle-Allen Company and later began her career there as a full time buyer for handbags, gifts and stationery.  She experienced many memorable buying trips in the U.S and in Italy.  Norma thoroughly enjoyed her time at the Carlisle’s family store and loved the world of retail, retiring in 1993.   In her retirement, Norma once again reunited with the Carlisle family at their Carlisle’s Home in the Harbor store on Bridge Street, affording her the benefit of working with the public as a part time sales associate until the age of 82.

Norma’s love of people afforded her many treasured friendships throughout the years.  She was always remembering others with a kind note or card. She and Virgil loved to travel and she especially cherished the many road trips to Wyoming as well as enjoying yearly winter get-aways to Myrtle Beach.  However, her most treasured time was time spent with family.    She was always invested and supportive of all that was going on in their lives, lending her love and support to any situation.  Her faith kept her active in her church, teaching Sunday School and Bible Club in her earlier years of motherhood as a member of the former Berean Bible Church.  In later years Norma became a faithful and active member of First Covenant Church.  She was a member of the P.E.O. Sisterhood, Chapter DV in Ashtabula and for many years served as head of the organization’s yearly nut sale fundraiser.  Norma was an active member of the YMCA and loved to golf, never missing an opportunity to tell of her hole-in-one. 

Norma was a loving and wonderful daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandma and great–grandma, lovingly and endearingly known by her grandchildren as “Mimi.”  She is survived by her daughters, Sharon (Jeff) Albert of Ashtabula and Pam (Michael) Smart of Green River, Wyoming; her grandchildren, Amanda (Brandon) Davis of Austinburg, Megan (Jim) Hagan of Willoughby Hills, Oh, Mikayla Smart of Rock Springs, Wyoming and Cody Smart, of Green River, Wyoming; great-grandchildren Alaina Davis and Adelyn Davis, loving companion and caregiver, Vince Timonere, a sister, Mona G. Anglin of Buckhannon, W. Va., special sister-in-law, Verna (Barry) Pickett of West Chester, Ohio and several nieces, nephews and extended family members.

Norma was preceded in death by her husband, Virgil, a sister, Alta Anne “Peaches” Lewis, her brother Morgan L. Perry, and her parents. 

Funeral services will be held Saturday at 11:00 a.m. at First Covenant Church, 3300 Carpenter Road, Ashtabula with the Rev. Bruce Wyand officiating.  Burial will be immediately following service at Ridgeview Cemetery.

Calling hours will be held Friday from 5-7 PM at the Ashtabula Home of Fleming & Billman Funeral Directors & Crematory, 526 W. Prospect Rd., Ashtabula.  In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Norma’s name may be made to Hospice of the Western Reserve, 1166 Lake Ave, Ashtabula, Ohio or First Covenant Church, P.O. Box 2977, Ashtabula, Ohio 44005, envelopes will be available. 

The family would like to express their gratitude to the staff at the Villa on the Lake in Conneaut and the Ashtabula County Nursing Home in Kingsville for their loving care of mom during these past seven months. “Our lives go on with out you, but nothing is the same.  “We have to hide our heartaches when someone speaks your name.  Sad are the hearts that love you. Silent the tears that fall.  Living our lives without you is the hardest part of all.  You did so many things for us.  Your heart was kind and true, and when we needed someone we could always count on you.  And we know with the love within our hearts, your memory will walk with us until we meet you again in heaven.”

The Fleming & Billman Funeral Homes and staff are honored to serve the Norma Tenney family.  Guestbook, view obituary or light a candle at fleming-billman.com.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Norma G. (Perry) Tenney, please visit our floral store.