News Summary
The Yorktown community mourns the loss of beloved matriarch Norma Jean Kinney, known for her vibrant spirit and love for family. Norma passed away at age 95, leaving behind a legacy of laughter, baking, and cherished memories. Her impact on her seven children and 20 grandchildren will be felt forever. A Funeral Mass will be held on April 22, 2025, to honor her life. Contributions in lieu of flowers can be made to the Virginia Baptist Homes Foundation.
Yorktown Mourns the Loss of Bingo Champion and Family Matriarch Norma Jean Kinney
In the peaceful early hours of April 9, 2025, the Yorktown community said goodbye to a bright light, Norma Jean Kinney (née Katcher), who passed away at the age of 95. Known affectionately as the “Bingo Champion” among friends and family, Norma’s contagious laughter and vibrant spirit will be sorely missed by all who had the privilege to know her.
A Family’s Heart and Soul
Norma was a beloved mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. Her family was not just her priority—they were her heart and soul. A proud matriarch, she dedicated herself to raising her seven children, ensuring each had the opportunity to obtain a college education and prepare for sustainable careers. Her children, Pam, Bob, Jill, Steve, Lisa, David, and Jerry, remember their mom as a guiding figure who filled their lives with love, adventure, and laughter.
Crafts, Cookies, and Classic Tunes
A woman of many talents, Norma had a creative side that showed in her love for zazvorniky—traditional Slovak cookies she delighted in baking. She was also passionate about crafts and music, often singing along to her favorite tunes from the ’40s and ’50s, including legendary artists like Elvis. Those long car rides during her children’s childhood often turned into impromptu sing-alongs, as she taught them timeless classics such as “She’ll Be Coming ’Round the Mountain” and “The Daring Young Man on the Flying Trapeze.”
A Life Full of Adventures
Norma’s zest for life extended beyond music. She loved camping and square dancing, activities that kept her young at heart and brought her family closer together. Family camping trips were favorite memories—filled with swimming, fishing, and making delicious fruit pies. Her husband, Robert Michael Kinney, with whom she shared 21 wonderful years of marriage until his passing at just 46, often joined her on these adventures. Together, they filled their family life with fun and laughter.
From Humble Beginnings
Born during the challenging times of the Great Depression in Binghamton, NY, Norma grew up in Dolgeville, NY. Over the years, she witnessed monumental changes in the world— from the invention of television to the first strides on the moon. She saw technology evolve from clunky wall-mounted telephones to sleek smartphones, living a full life rich with memories and experiences.
A Legacy of Love
Though she faced heartache when her husband passed away, Norma remained steadfast and resilient, raising her children solo while also adopting her brother’s two miniature dachshunds, Tyke and Elsa Mae, adding a bit of fur and fun to her home life. In her later years, she became a proud grandmother to 20 grandchildren—including a lively set of triplets and two sets of twins—and was a loving Great-Grammie to 10 great-grandchildren, with one more on the way.
A Bit of Humor
Known for her keen sense of humor, Norma had a playful spirit throughout her life, famously building a snowman as a teenager to cheer up her sick younger sister—and not hesitating to pose with it in her bathing suit. It’s these colorful memories that her family treasures most.
A Celebration of Life
As friends and family gather to honor Norma’s memory, a Funeral Mass is scheduled for April 22, 2025, at 11:00 AM at St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church, located at 315 Harris Grove Lane, Yorktown, VA 23692. Visitation will take place from 10:00 to 11:00 AM in the church vestibule. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Virginia Baptist Homes Foundation to support Cornerstone Memory Support at The Chesapeake, an organization close to Norma’s heart.
Norma Jean Kinney’s legacy of love, laughter, and family will forever live on in the hearts of all who knew her. She truly was a gem, and she will be missed dearly.
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Additional Resources
- WYDaily: Norma Jean Kinney
- Wikipedia: Norma Jean
- Daily Press: Norma Jean Kinney
- Google Search: Norma Jean Kinney
- WYDaily: Beatrice Squires
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Bingo
- Legacy: Marjorie Sharp
- Google News: Bingo Champion
- Legacy: Dianne Hines
- Legacy: Joseph Williams
