She was 97 years old. She was born in Meeker in 1917 to Archie and Josephine Holland. Norine loved growing up on the Irish Mesa and the White River Valley. She and her two brothers and sister rode one horse to the Coal Creek school house until their beloved horse (Blue) stepped in a badger hole and broke her leg. Then they walked! Norine was graduated from Meeker High School and went on to get her B.A in English education and her M.S. in social work. She taught school in Meeker for a brief time prior to doing social work in the Denver Public Schools for 21 years. She later worked for Children and Family Services as a social worker in Denver and also worked for the owner of Writer’s Manor (caring for his wife).
Norine was a giving person with a lot of energy and love to share with friends and family. She was engaged to be married to Gene Trainor. They met while Gene was teaching at Meeker High School and Norine was the first-ever first grade teacher in the new grade school (now old)! Gene was a pilot in WWII and his B-24 was shot down; his body was never recovered. Norine was brokenhearted and although she never married, she led a full and active life. She was “Promoted to Glory” and is now with her beloved Gene.
Her friends and family were her priority and she was a devoted daughter, sister, sister-in-law, aunt and friend. Her Meeker relatives traveled often to Denver to visit Norine, taking in Elitch’s in summer and the stock show in winter. After she retired as the Rio Blanco County Superintendent of Schools, Josephine Holland stayed with her daughter Norine for several years in Denver.
Norine retired in Grand Junction and stayed active in her bridge group. She was a devout Catholic and attended church daily to pray and light Novenas for those in need. She was grateful for the teachings of Alcoholics Anonymous and was devoted to counseling and inspiring folks in jail.
Norine loved to fish and she rented a cabin at the Buford campground for several weeks each summer. She made the family picnics fun and yummy! S’mores were always on the menu after the kids cut the willows for roasting marshmallows. Norine loved to travel and attended many interesting elder hostels. She enjoyed the desert and collected Indian jewelry.
Norine was preceded in death by her parents, her brother T.J. (Bud) Holland (Maxine), her sister Mary Murray (Bill), her brother Barney Holland (Colleen), her nephew Billy Murray, her niece Joann Carstens (Marvin) and her niece Betty Lou Holland. Norine is survived by several nieces and nephews who dearly loved her: Kathy Turner (Gerry), Sally Merriam (John), Margie Adams (William “Medic”), Holli Schopp (Jim), Christi Holland Slade, Joe Carstens (Tina), Pan Murray, Devin Murray (Kris), along with eight great-nieces and great-nephews and 12 great-great-nieces and -nephews.
Norine was indeed grateful for the loving support she received by staff and friends at the Walbridge Wing.
In 2013, at 96, Norine was the oldest person to attend the Rio Blanco County’s Old Timers’ reunion.
Private services were held Wednesday, Sept. 17 with burial in Meeker’s beautiful Highland Cemetery. Calahan-Edfast was in charge of her services.
May our Lord grant Norine his peace and grace.
