Norma Tidwell Egbert of Edmond, Oklahoma, passed away at her home on July 27, 2025.
She was born on December 24, 1940, in Claremore, Oklahoma, to Elmer and Phoebe Mosely Tidwell. She was their only child and a Christmas baby. Norma lost her father to tuberculosis when she was three years old and went to live with her grandmother, Amy Tidwell, in Oklahoma City. Her mother, Phoebe, later studied nursing at the Albuquerque School of Nursing after her husband's death.
At just five years old, Norma was placed on a bus in Oklahoma City and sent alone to Northeastern Oklahoma to rejoin her mother, who had remarried. The transition into a home with a new stepfather proved emotionally challenging and left a lasting impact. It was an unfortunate and traumatic experience.
Norma graduated from Tahlequah High School in 1959. She went on to attend the Hillcrest School of Nursing in Tulsa, graduating in 1962 and becoming a Registered Nurse. She worked at Hillcrest, St. Luke's, and Research Hospitals in Kansas City, Evanston Hospital in Illinois, Liberty Hospital in Missouri, and the Edmond Hospital, where she retired in 2000. Norma was a competent, compassionate, and dedicated nurse.
At her graduation banquet in Tulsa in May 1962, Norma met David, who had been set up as her blind date for the evening. After a six-month engagement, they were married on June 1, 1963, at St. John's Episcopal Church. Their life together became a journey marked by love, purpose, and resilience. They began married life in Kansas City, Missouri, where their son, David Mark, was born. In 1966, the family moved to Evanston, Illinois, and three years later relocated to Ada, Oklahoma, where their daughter, Amy Marian, was born.
Norma was devoted to her family throughout their sixty-two years of marriage. She and David raised and nurtured their two children into honorable and accomplished adults. They took great pleasure in the marriage of Mark to Jennifer Haile, and Amy to Danny Glenn. It was a joy to see them raise their grandchildren, Max and Sydney Egbert and Jared and Courtney Glenn, grow into thoughtful, responsible individuals guided by a Christian foundation and a strong sense of integrity and respect for others. Each grandchild felt cherished in a way that was unique and deeply personal, and they often joked about who her "favorite" really was. Norma is also survived by her sister, Denise Taylor, whom she deeply loved and cherished.
In her later years, Norma's joy only grew with the next generation. She welcomed Jared's wife, Rachel Hummel, into the family with warmth and love. She adored her great-grandchildren, Emma, Cooper, and Shepard Glenn, and took special pride in watching the family grow.
Norma was a private person who never sought praise or recognition. She went to great lengths to avoid it. Her husband's role as an Episcopal priest often placed them in the public eye, which was difficult for her, but her quiet strength and loving support were unwavering. Her family and those who knew her felt her kindness, thoughtfulness, and steady presence.
She worked faithfully in hospitals and in the church, enabling her family to travel and enjoy many experiences together. Thanks to Norma's dedication and hard work, the family was able to enjoy ski trips to Red River and Santa Fe, cruises, and memorable travels to places like London, Paris, Hawaii, and many other wonderful destinations.
Norma enjoyed reading historical novels and mysteries and was meticulous in caring for her family. She loved animals and found joy in the many pets they had over the years. She had a deep love for animals and found great joy in the many pets they had over the years, including a cat, several beloved dogs, a parrot, two parakeets, and two horses.
She took pride in teaching her children important life skills. She showed them how to balance a checkbook, ski, barrel race, be good travelers, and value true friendship. She treated her husband and children with respect and was deeply respected in return.
A celebration of Norma's life will be held at St. Paul's Cathedral in Oklahoma City on Saturday, August 2nd at 11:00am. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made to PBS, NPR, or to an animal rescue organization of your choice.