Obituary of Norma J. Brownell

Norma Jean Brownell, 89, of Jamestown passed away peacefully on Friday, December 8, 2017 at Heritage Park, with her family by her side. Norma was born in Jamestown on February 15, 1928, the daughter of Nels and Helga (Johnson) Brandell. She graduated from Jamestown High School in 1946 and lived in the area her entire life. Norma met her future husband Al Brownell at the roller skating rink in Celoron. When Al returned from World War II, they were married on October 11, 1947. They had a group of friends that they stayed close with throughout their lives, getting together regularly to play games and for picnics and celebrations. Norma worked in the cost accounting department at Watson Manufacturing for several years before becoming a stay at home mom when her daughter Karen was born in 1960. In addition to taking wonderful care of her husband and her daughter, Norma also spent many years taking care of her mother before Helga passed away in 1986. Norma also worked at Anderson Cleaners later in life before she and her husband Al retired. Norma was always very good with numbers and puzzles. She was an avid Sudoku player and was especially good at crossword puzzles; she could also answer almost any Jeopardy question that came up. Norma was an avid reader as well and enjoyed going to the Prendergast Library. Norma played the piano and loved music, especially Big Band music and opera. She was proud of her Swedish heritage and was a member of First Lutheran Church her entire life. Norma moved from West Ellicott to the Heritage Campus in Gerry in 2011, where she greatly appreciated the friendship and fellowship of everyone there. She worked in the library and loved to play games with her friends. Norma is survived by her daughter Karen Brownell of Portsmouth, NH and Karen's partner Joe Mazzaglia. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband Al Brownell who passed away in 2011. A memorial service will be held at the First Lutheran Church chapel at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, December 12, 2017. Rev. Daniel K. Nagle will officiate. Burial will be in the Sunset Hill Cemetery. Memorials may be made to First Lutheran Church, 120 Chandler St., Jamestown, NY 14701 or Heritage Ministries, Office of Development, 4600 Route 60, PO Box 350, Gerry, NY 14740.