When asked to describe a person who embodies strength in heroic proportions, most of us likely could name a soldier or firefighter we know, or perhaps we immediately think of a cultural icon from sports or the movies. While such heroes, be they real or mythical, are often worthy of the greatness we ascribe to them, a wife and mother rarely comes to mind. But in her own quiet, unassuming way, Diana Norman, in her enormous faith and indefatigable battle with cancer over thirteen years, was in many respects one of the strongest people some of us have ever had the privilege of knowing.

Through all measure of life's tests and trials, Diana was the unassailable rock that you could depend upon to remain true to her faith and steadfast in her ever-positive, continually-loving way. So many of us who knew her were no match for this kind of strength of character and clarity of vision that she had about living her life, and making sure that the lives of those around her were touched and filled with her deeply abiding love.

In spite of her courage, powerful faith, and strength of character, Diana loved her family without ever letting her ego intrude. Whenever her husband or sons had an accomplishment, she was as happy as if she had made the accomplishment herself. She was selfless even to strangers. She was a partner and mother in almost 40 years of marriage. All families have some turmoil, but with a wife and mother like Diana, any turmoil in her family was short lived and without any grudges.

Diana was not an ambitious woman but enjoyed accomplishing new things and goals that she set for herself. She was competitive only with herself. At the age of 56, after retiring from her respective professions as schoolteacher and librarian, winning her first battles with cancer and raising four boys, she very well could have settled here in Bastrop to write memoirs, knit sweaters, and tend a garden. She had lived a tremendously productive life and had touched so many hearts. However, she chose to learn a new trade, and promptly enrolled herself in nursing school to become a registered nurse. While taking classes, she taught Sunday school at the Silver Pines nursing home, and worked as a nurse's aide at Argent Court. Her years of “retirement” here in Texas were spent caring for those in her community the same way she'd cared for husband and children for over thirty years. Also, she adopted, neutered, and treated several of the many stray cats in her neighborhood because they had become human dependent but were left to fend for themselves. She didn't like to see them suffer.

Those of us who were privileged to witness so much of this endless determination to better herself and the lives around her will look to these memories in the years to come for inspiration, guidance, and hope that we can be but half as strong when life tests us with new trials and hardships. Diana's mountain of faith and great strength will yet remain a source of courage for us, even as she has passed to be with the Lord. Her sweet spirit will live on in our hearts and memory.

Luther Norman, Evan Norman, Rod Norman