January 30, 1934 – May 16, 2018
Norma Mae Sterchi, 84, a resident of Fishers, Indiana, died on Wednesday May 16, 2018 surrounded by her loving family. Norma was preceded in death by her father and mother, George Malcolm and Catherine Ferne (Wittner) Eddy, and her brother Robert Eddy. She is survived by her devoted husband, Jerry W. Sterchi, children Karen Sterchi and David Sterchi (Meg), beloved grandchildren Grant and Gavin Sterchi, Aunt Alice Detzler, siblings Gordon Eddy (Judy), Larry Eddy (Karen), sister-in-law Roseann Eddy and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Norma was born on January 30, 1934 in South Bend. The eldest of four children, and the only girl, she was ambitious and worked her way through Gary Methodist Nursing School. Her commitment to life-long learning culminated with an MSN, specializing in Geriatric Medicine. In addition to being a practicing nurse, she was also an award-winning leader in nursing education at Ivy Tech and Purdue University.
Her gifts as a caregiver extended to her family, including her parents and extended family. Married for 62 years to her husband Jerry, she helped raise their two children, Karen and David, in Michigan City, Indiana. She also reveled in her role as grandmother to Grant and Gavin. Norma developed a passion for gardening and became a Master Gardener. She had extensive flower and vegetable gardens along with a beautiful woods, where many treasured memories were made, including hikes in the woods, evenings spent by the bonfire, fishing in the pond, and traveling the property by golf cart. She passed on her love for nature to her children and grandchildren. Her creativity also led her to a passion for quilting and all of her children and grandchildren have at least one of her beautiful quilts to cherish.
During retirement, her caregiving extended across the globe to Kenya, where Norma formed deep relationships with the women of Kisumu, Kenya. She partnered with them on several projects for empowerment and independence. In her later years Norma moved to Fishers, Indiana to be closer to her children and grandchildren. She adored her grandsons and enjoyed attending their events and tutoring Gavin.
A memorial service will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday May 26, 2018 at Kern Road Mennonite Church, 18211 Kern Road, South Bend, Indiana. Friends may visit with the family in the church beginning at 10:00 am. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made in her honor to Fernwood Botanical Garden & Nature Preserve (fernwoodbotanical.org) and/or Mennonite Central Committee for Relief (mcc.org).