Norman Bruce Stevenson - Online Memorial Website

Born in Columbus, Ohio on April 9, 1937.

I haven't been told many stories from before my birth, much to my dismay. This particular story is about my father and mother meeting, but it is lacking in a lot of detail. I don't know when, for instance, and can only guess at a year. I don't know where, either. But what I do know is the depth of the feeling.

My mother was all set to marry her high school sweetheart. It was going to be the picture perfect wedding, the fairy tale all girls in the 1950s dreamt of. My mother was all dressed and getting her photo taken on the steps of the church when news came that her fiance had gotten into a car accident on his way to the church. The photos that were taken with tears standing in her eyes were destroyed by a sensitive photographer who knew they'd be exploited.

My mother's story was so shocking and resonated with people to such an extent that there was a segment devoted to it on Paul Harvey's "The rest of the story" (if anyone knows a way for me to obtain a recording of this segment, please contact me!). My father was driving... somewhere, when this segment was broadcast, and it touched him deeply, and his heart went out to this poor girl whose dreams had been dashed so cruelly.

Some time later, I've never been clear on how much time passed, he met a girl where he worked. She was pretty and fun. They started dating and as they got closer, he discovered that she was the girl in that radio segment.

My father always cherished my mother. They had their rough times, of course, but one constant in my life has always been how much my parents were devoted to each other, committed to their marriage, and determined to make things work. They were together for over forty years, and their marriage has been a strong example for me.

They shared so much happiness. They travelled together, spending a few years living in Germany, moving all around the country, and finally ending up in Gainesville, Florida. They loved that city, and gave much of themselves back to the Center for Independent Living there. Everywhere they went, they made good friends and shared their happiness with all they touched.

Passed away on March 4, 2008.