Margaret Norine (Norris) Brewer

Margaret Norine (Norris) Brewer, 83, of Lee's Summit, Mo., (formerly of Nevada), died Sunday, July 21, 2013, at St. Luke's East Hospital, following a long illness with her family at her side. Norine was born Aug. 25, 1929, the daughter of Fred and Dorothy Norris of Independence, Mo.

She was a 1947 graduate of William Chrisman High School and a 1951 graduate of Northwest Missouri State University, participating in the first off-campus student teaching the college required for her bachelor of education degree. She pursued graduate work at Oklahoma State University. She was a teacher of home economics through the 1950s in Myrtle Pointe, Ore., Oologah, Okla., and Warsaw, Mo.

Norine was married for more than 60 years to Charles Brewer, who survives at home. He resides at 416 N.E. Wild Rose Lane, Lee's Summit, Mo., 64064. Also, she is survived by two children, Lora Brewer Ackerman, Kansas City and Doug Brewer, Nixa; grandchildren, Meredith and Claire Ackerman, and Ben Brewer; her sister, Kathleen DePugh, of Belton; nieces, nephews, and a circle of true friends. The family will conduct a private memorial service to honor her at a later date.

While residing in her adopted hometown of Nevada, Norine enjoyed membership in P.E.O. chapter DW, Domestic Science Club, The Dianas, local bridge clubs, volunteer work with Meals on Wheels, and behind-the-scenes work with the CCPA. She was an Independence Santa Cala-Gon Queen, a college synchronized swimmer, a lifelong knitter and reader, a gifted cook, seamstress, and hostess. One of her favorite events to co-host with her husband, Charlie, was the Nevada State School and Hospital Independence Day Fireworks and Ice Cream Social.

If making a monetary donation to an organization is meaningful to you, a donation to the Nevada Community Council on the Performing Arts would be welcomed and would support efforts with an organization her family enjoyed (CCPA, Box 754, Nevada, Mo., 64772). While Norine supported charities important to her and would encourage others' support of their favorite charities, one way you can celebrate her memory is by doing something she most like to do: taking someone you care about to a lovely lunch.