Norman "Noni" Whitney Broadbooks

Norman Lynn Whitney Broadbooks, “Noni” (aka Mom, and Gram) shuffled off this mortal coil on 02/24/20, just in time to enjoy her first Mardi Gras Day, in years, with her husband, Art Broadbooks, and sister, Barbara Tomba, who escaped this earthly plane years before. She was the daughter of Norman Edward Whitney, and Mary Alice Dubret, both of NOLA. She graduated from Martin Behrman High School in 1955, and Charity Hospital’s Nursing Program in 1958. From there, she enlisted in the Navy. While stationed in Pensacola, she met a dashing young airman, who she promptly married, and then married again, in the Catholic Church, a few months later. (Mom eloped?!?!? Dad said she just wanted two anniversary presents each year.) She was a devout Catholic, and a member of the choir at her childhood Church, where she was absolutely NOT allowed to even lip sync, lest more than a sigh escape. The Nuns allowed her to turn the pages for the organist. Noni made her living as an RN, first in Pediatrics at a Regional Hospital, and then in ICU/Cardiac Care with the VA. She even lived her dream of serving the medical needs of Native Americans in Santa Fe, before retiring to spend time with her family, her friends, and her creativity. She was a long time, active member of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, in Dublin GA, where she leaves beaucoup les amis, and custom created/sewn/tailored altar linens, as well as the Priests’ vestments. She was a remarkable seamstress, a phenomenal miniature artist, and an excellent Creole cook, when she wanted to be. When she was less inclined, she skipped the “first you make a roux” part of things, but her gumbo was tasty either way. Noni’s Red Beans tip, that I learned “after” making my first pot o’ beans…don’t forget the oil. “Mom, my beans don’t look like your beans.” “Did you add the oil?” “Oil…???” She loved nature, yet adeptly killed plants. She loved camping, but didn’t like sweating. She was a follower of Christ, but her language embellishments could make a sailor blush. She loved ice cream, and assured us that the ice cream below the “protective ice” was absolutely fine. We let her enjoy ALL of that, and then I made certain I had new ice cream for her visits. More recently, Noni was introduced to craft beers by her son, Chip, and her granddaughters, Brittney and Kendyl, who raise a mug, and a heartfelt, “Cheers to you Mom/Gram”. She loved animals, more than most people, so those of us, fortunate enough to have been loved by her, should spend time counting our lucky stars. She leaves behind her dog, Maebelle (who has a great, new person to love her), her brother Oliver (Sweetie), her daughter, Chris, her son, Chip (Michelle), her three grandchildren, Brittney Waldo (Stuart), Kendyl Smith (Jordan), and Lance, her three great grandchildren, Kamden, Karsyn, and Myles, nieces Bobbie, Susie, Alissa, and Kim. Nephews, Tommy, Nick, Craig, and Kirk, grand nieces and nephews, numerous members of her “chosen family”, and countless other NOLA relatives, that we’re probably related to in more ways than one. (That ancestry website is enlightening.) Remembrance donations, honoring Noni’s life and causes, can be made to the “ABC Women’s Clinic” in Dublin, GA, “Partnership with Native Americans”, “Wings of America”, “Defenders of Wildlife”, or the humane society of your choice. Interment will be in the Spring, at the historic Greenwood Cemetery in NOLA, where she’ll rest with her husband of 48 years, her Gram who taught her to sew, and a plethora of other family members, who shaped her youth. A loud, raucous, joyful, memorial will be held at that time, with a crawfish boil, and craft beer. We’ll keep everyone who loves her in the loop. Todd Wahlquist of Bevis Funeral Home is assisting the family with their arrangements. (850-385-2193 or www.bevisfh.com)

Tributes

Norman "Noni" Whitney Broadbooks

November 7, 1937 - February 24, 2020