Norma Jean Stoklasa
1929 – 2024
Norma was born June 19, 1929, in Hugo, Oklahoma to Albie and Mollie Phillips, she was their only child and the light of their life. She is survived by her cousin Jill McCleery and her husband Jeff, cousin Jaycob McCleery and his wife Taylor, and their baby Carter McCleery, as well as cousin Beth Meek, her longtime friend Ginger Barsetti and chauffeur and travel companion Deloise Arkam. She was preceded in death by her father Albie and her mother Mollie, her husband John, her daughter Cynthia Lynn, cousin Jack Collins and his wife Joyce, cousin Jay Collins, cousin Joshua McCleery, and her dearest childhood and lifelong friend Jean Collins. Norma lived such a long life that she outlived many family members and friends, but they are all now rejoicing that she has joined them for the biggest family reunion Heaven has seen.
Norma graduated from Central High School in Oklahoma City in 1947, and then went on to marry the love of her life John Stoklasa in 1949. They were married for 10 years when they welcomed their only child, a daughter, Cynthia Lynn, on October 8, 1959. Cynthia Lynn was born with Cerebral Palsy but that did not stop this family from living life to the fullest. John and Norma home cared for their daughter which allowed them to travel with her at their leisure. Las Vegas was one of their favorite places to go because of the shows, they saw Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and many more.
Norma and John also had a real estate company called Winston Reality, that they owned and operated for almost 20 years here in the Oklahoma City area. They were married for 52 years when John passed away in 2001. Norma then took care of Cynthia at home for the remainder of Cynthia’s life with help from many caregivers, Deloise Arkam, Terry Butler, and Jo Madina until she passed away in 2014. They then stayed to help Norma as she transitioned from her loss of Cynthia to her need for care givers to help with her own care.
One of Norma’s greatest attributes was how selfless she was and how deeply she cared for John, Cynthia, family, and friends. A great example of this was Norma starting a foundation in Cynthia’s name called Happiness is Helping. This was a non-profit that she ran from 2002-2023 that offered grants to families that needed assistance with home care for their disabled children. Norma saw a need, and even though her plate was full she was going to ensure that families received the help that they needed.
Norma was 95 ½ when she passed away. In her last years and months, she was cared for greatly and loved deeply by Deloise Arkam, Jill McCleery, and Bernadin Vaughn.
Norma’s heart was big, her personality was larger than life, her extreme selflessness cannot be matched, and she had a light that shone so brightly not even death can put it out. She will be greatly missed.
Graveside services will be held Tuesday, October 29, 2024, beginning at 2:00 p.m. at Rose Hill Burial Park in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.