CHESAPEAKE—Norma Claire (Ruiz) John, 75, of Chesapeake, by way of New York, passed away peacefully on the morning of January 20, 2025, in her home, in the company of her irreplaceable caregiver, Gina.

Norma was a thoughtful wife, supportive mother, dependable friend, and an overall amazing human. Married to the thorn in her side, Robert, for 55 years, she was blessed with three children: David (Keithe), Jason (Kari), and Valerie. From these unions Norma had the pleasure of witnessing her legacy through her grandchildren: Monica, Melanie, Matthew, Isaiah, Hayden, Sophia, and Jacob.

While she held a variety of "jobs" throughout her lifetime, ranging from being a waitress to working in a hospital, her most treasured was being a stay-at-home mother. She consistently took great pride in her unyielding love for her children. More importantly, she took pride in breaking generational curses by maintaining a stable home with unconditional love.

Throughout her lifetime she had the privilege of encountering many beautiful people, who after a while were welcomed into our home and grew to become and remain family.  Over the years, our house became a home for many, not only in the sense of walls and space but in that of a safe haven for people to find refuge, a warm meal, sound, sage advice, and some occasional laughter. The reach of her impact is truly immeasurable. While we collectively mourn her passing, may we all find comfort that she is in the loving arms of Jesus, reunited with the many we have lost.

A woman of great faith, she embodied what it meant to be a Child of God; often drawn to the downtrodden and displaced, she edified others and poured her positive spirit into them. If someone came to the door hungry, they left with a full stomach and two sandwiches for the road. That is just who she was. Her mission was to ensure that there was always room at the table for any and everyone who needed it.

On behalf of Norma and the entire John family, we would like to express our appreciation and gratitude to everyone who has reached out and offered their kindness and supportive sentiments during this time. As word of her passing spread, the outpour of people reaching out to share how much she meant to them was overwhelming in the best way imaginable.

May we all keep Isaiah 40:31 at the forefront of our minds when we think of Norma - "But those who wait on the LORD Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint." Despite the many obstacles and tribulations she encountered in life, she persevered because she embodied the concept of surrender and dependency in her faith. May her legacy be a testament to give others the benefit of the doubt while choosing to display empathy and compassion to all whom we encounter.

Please join us for a visitation from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Friday, January 31, at Foster Funeral Home, 1926 High St., Portsmouth. The family would also like to invite all to attend her burial at 11:00 a.m.  Saturday, February 1, at Meadowbrook Memorial Gardens, 4569 Shoulders Hill Rd., Suffolk. All in attendance will have an opportunity to share stories and fond memories.  Condolences may be registered at BWFosterFuneralHome.com.