Norma C. Oakes

Norma C. (Paustenbach) Oakes, 90, formerly of Camp Hill, passed away on Thursday, February 2, 2023 in Centre Care, Bellefonte, PA. On this day her courageous battle with Alzheimer’s disease ended.

Norma was born January 8, 1933 in New Kensington, PA. and was proud to share her birthday with the ‘King’, Elvis Presley. As a young woman growing up, she loved being first trumpet in her high school band. The New Kensington High School band was known for high-stepping, and when given the chance to play before a Steeler’s home football game, the radio commentator said, ‘I’ve never seen anything like it before – the band is dancing!’

Moving away for the first time, Norma attended Indiana University of PA. On her first day of school, she met the love of her life, Norman Oakes. She always knew that marrying a Norman was her destiny. Their marriage took a circuitous route, when ‘her Norman’ received his first commission to go to Germany. He asked her to stay in Pennsylvania and let her know that they would ‘get married when he returned’. With a maiden name of Paustenbach, Norma didn’t want to be replaced by another cute fraulein, so she called the church and asked for the first available wedding date in August. She married him on August 13th, and they shared 54 years together.

Norma was a retired educator with Town & Country Day School, Harrisburg, PA, received her BS in Elementary Education from the Indiana University of PA and continued her studies at Duquesne University, University of Pittsburgh and University of Virginia. Norma taught in Pennsylvania, Germany, South Korea, North Carolina and Virginia and was a former substitute teacher in PA serving the West Shore, Cumberland Valley and Harrisburg School Districts.

Norma was a member of Camp Hill Presbyterian Church where she served as a Deacon and Elder, a former member of the Highland Women’s Club and was past president of Soroptimist International of the West Shore and a director for Soroptimist International North Atlantic Region. Later in life, she was a member of Soroptimist International of Centre County, PA.

Norma was born in New Kensington, PA, the daughter of the late George and Miriam (Dickey) Paustenbach and was the widow of Lt. Col. Norman L. Oakes. She is survived and loved by her daughters, Cheryl L. Weiser (Michael) of Yuma, AZ and Wendy S. Oakes of State College, PA; a sister Judy Paustenbach of AZ; granddaughter, Sarah Weiser and grandson, Preston Weiser (Courtney); and great granddaughters, Alexa, Brielle and Lilliana.

A committal service will be held at 11 am on Thursday, February 9, 2023 in Indiantown Gap National Cemetery, East Hanover Twp., PA.

In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully requests memorial contributions in Norma’s memory to either Alzheimer’s Association Greater PA Chapter, 2595 Interstate Drive, Suite 100, Harrisburg, PA 17110, Soroptimist International Centre County, 523 Woodland Rd, Reedsville, PA 17084 or Soroptimist International of the West Shore, 901 Fifth St. New Cumberland, PA 17070.

To send messages of condolence to Norma’s family or for driving directions, please visit www.Parthemore.com