Norma Jean McGuffey

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Norma Jean (Jordan) McGuffey, 96, of Lincoln, NE entered into her eternal glory on Friday, October 21, 2023, at Southlake Village. Norma was born February 7, 1927, in Lansing, MI to Nina Pearl (Hilton) Jordan and Howard Jordan. She grew up in Durand, MI where she attended public school and the Nazarene church and worked in her father’s furniture store. She attended Michigan State University where she received a BS in medical technology met and later married William (Bill) C. McGuffey, a U.S. Navy pilot returning from World War II.

She lived and worked as a Med Tech with specialty in Cytopathology for over 25 years in California; Longmont, Ovid, and Littleton, Colorado; Billings, Montana; Scottsbluff, Nebraska; Wilmington, Delaware; and Nashua, New Hampshire. She loved to ballroom dance with Bill at dance halls in Scottsbluff and Little Moon Lake near Henry, NE.

She and Bill retired to Lake Como, FL in 1989 where she was active at 1^st Baptist Church of Palatka and participated in many activities around the Lake. She especially loved gathering with her women friends for Bible study. After her life-long love of 64 years passed away in 2012, Norma moved to the Grand Lodge of the Preserve in Lincoln to be closer to family. She remained active at the Lodge, welcoming newcomers and again participating in Bible studies. A bad fall in 2022 led her to residency at Southlake Village where she lived for one year before her passing. Norma always rooted for the Michigan State Spartans and the Nebraska Huskers. She was passionate about her Christian faith and was a constant prayer warrior. She loved the frequent visits from her children, grandchildren and great grands who all adored her (and her chicken-shaped candy dish filled with jellybeans). She was the best mother-in-law ever and will be sorely missed; yet we rejoice because we know she is now at home with Jesus. Her favorite Bible verse reflected her faith, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding, but in all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:5-6

Norma was preceded in death by her husband, Bill; children: twin daughters at birth, Brian at 6 months; daughter-in-law, Kathy McGuffey; her parents and brothers, Dick and Pat Jordan. She is survived by three sons: David (Tina) McGuffey of Laurel, MD; Dr. Patrick (Cindy) McGuffey of Beatrice, NE; and Gregory McGuffey of Crescent City, FL; five grandchildren: Dr. Megan (Chris) Willet, Luke (Kristina) McGuffey, Dr. Logan (Chelsea) McGuffey, Erich (Hana) McGuffey-Cai, and Alex (Christy) McGuffey, and twelve great grandchildren.

Interment at a later date in Gering, NE. In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established in Norma’s memory for later designation.

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October 26, 2023

Rest in Peace, our wonderful Aunt Norma, big sister to our father Dick. From a memorable vacation in Nebraska, to visits in East Lansing to see her parents while I was attending school there, big pans of scrambled eggs (with a whole stick of butter!), visiting her and Uncle Bill when our daughters were little and putting our baby to bed in the bottom drawer of the dresser (if you don’t have a crib, it works), feeding the fish (piranha’s?) off of their dock, there are too many wonderful memories to mention. But what I will remember most is the many phone calls we had when we were taking care of her brother-my uncle-Pat’s affairs. It was a chance to pick her brain about the Jordan side of the family and she was the last of that generation. It may have been tough for her to hear on the phone, and she butt-dialed me numerous times, but her mind was sharp and it was always a joy to speak or face-time with her. My one regret is not getting out to visit her. I will, however, never forget her. Keeping good thoughts for all my relatives in the McGuffey family.

– Richard Jordan-nephew

October 24, 2023

To the McGuffey family: I did not know Norma personally, but judging from the McGuffeys I have had the pleasure to know, she is leaving a legacy of smart, kind, faith-filled family members who reflect her amazing life and commitment to living in God’s word. My condolences on your loss of such an extraordinary person in your lives.