Norabel Grych

Beloved sister, aunt, artist, and educator, Norabel Morrison Grych, age 93, of Covenant Village of Cromwell in Cromwell CT died June 15, 2016, after a prolonged battle with Alzheimer’s.  Born in 1923 in Mt. Pleasant, Iowa, to Ira Gerald and Annabel Andruss Morrison, she was the second of four children.  Married in 1975 to Henry M. Grych, she was preceded in death by her husband, her parents, her sister Merriam Morrison Kokojan, her brother I. George Morrison, nephews Stephen G. Morrison and Timothy Kokojan, niece Kathy Lee Kokojan Norman, and great-nephews Leef Holly and John Norman.

Norabel exhibited early  talent as an artist.  At the University of Missouri–Columbia, she earned her baccalaureate degree in art with a minor in geology.  She received her M.A. degree in Art and a M.Ed. degree in Art Education from the University of Iowa.  She spent her entire career as an educator teaching art for over thirty years in the Whiting School District in Hammond, Indiana.  Norabel encouraged her students to think creatively and worked tirelessly on stage sets for school drama productions.  After she retired, Norabel was active in St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Munster, Indiana and volunteered her services in art classes in their K-12 program.  She served as President of the Senior Women’s group and was an active participant in church activities.

As an artist, Norabel drew inspiration primarily from nature.  She took classes throughout the country and returned home inspired by God’s creations, ranging from the geology of the West to the sea creatures of the Eastern shore to the humble mushrooms and dandelions of the Midwest.  Her works were usually figurative in style, but she also experimented with abstraction.  Generously, she gifted family and friends with her beautiful creations.

Norabel had the misfortune of suffering from Alzheimer’s for too many of her later years to which she has at last succumbed.  She is survived by her loving sister and primary caretaker, Geraldine Morrison of Covenant Village.  She is also survived by stepchildren Michael Grych, Mark Grych, Michele Grych Core (Thomas), and Matthew Grych (Anne); nieces Charlotte Morrison Holly (Ande), Janet Morrison Nolan (Edward), and Teresa Kokojan; nephew Lawrence J. Kokojan (Sara); niece-by-marriage Gail Moore Morrison; 12 great-nieces and great-nephews; and a great-great-niece and great-great-nephew.

A memorial service will be held at the chapel of Covenant Village of Cromwell on Saturday, July 23 at 11:00 a.m., with interment in Munster, Indiana at a later date.  A light reception in the Hilltop Lounge of Covenant Village of Cromwell will follow the service.

The family wishes to thank in particular the Franciscan Hospice and Covenant Village Pilgrim Manor nurses and aides for the loving, tender care given to Norabel during her illness.  In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Covenant Village of Cromwell Benevolent Fund (52 Missionary Rd, Cromwell, CT 06416-2143) or to a charity of one’s choice.