Sunday, April 9, 2017

SUNDAY’S OBITUARY ~ Norlaine Rae Gould Rankhorn–1942-2001–My half sister


RANKHORN_Norlaine nee GOULD_Obituary_2001

Norlaine Rae Gould
Born 6 Feb 1942 in Detroit, Wayne, Michigan
Married Lloyd E. Rankhorn on 21 Mar 1964 in Michigan
Died 30 Sep 2001, Mt. Gilead, Morrow, Ohio – age 59

We don't always have traditional obituaries in the newspapers any more.  Often times the information is written up on the website for the mortuary/funeral home. 

We had no contact with my two half sisters, Norlaine & Virginia, when I was growing up.  I always knew about them.  My Dad had married their mother Elaine Croft in 1936 and they divorced in 1948. 

In 1980 my brother decided to look up my sisters and found them.  He and Dad went back to visit. In 1981 my sister Norlaine and her daughter, came to San Diego for a visit.  That was the only time I met her.

Norlaine on the left and Virginia on the right, reunite with our Dad - 1980 at the Detroit Airport

However, we kept in touch by letter and occasional phone calls.  I had a long conversation with her just a couple of months before her death.  She grieved the loss of her son and two young grandchildren in a house fire, until the day she died.  You can read their story here The Very Sad Story of Brian Rankhorn and his two children

I’ve had no contact with any of her remaining family since her death in 2001, although I am close to my two nieces (daughters of my other half sister, Virginia).

I sure wish I had known Norlaine better through the years.  However, I will always be happy that we had what time we had.
R.I.P. Norlaine.  Your memory will always be kept alive by those who loved you.

Happy hunting,
Michigan Girl

Copyright ©  2010-2017   Diane Gould Hall
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.  NO USE WITHOUT PERMISSION

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I look forward to reading your comments. If you have any connection to the people mentioned in this blog, please let me know. I write about mine and my husband's ancestors and would welcome new information or meeting a new cousin or two. Thanks for visiting and come back soon.