Norma Jean Drew

Norma Jean Drew, 93, a Lee County resident since 1970, formerly of Bloomington, IN, passed away Saturday, January 4, 2020 in Cape Coral, FL. She was born February 25, 1926 in Washington, IN (Daviess County) to Frank and Helen (Chapman) Winterbottom, now deceased.

Norma was of the Christian faith and now joins her loving husband of 54 years, Paul Walter Drew, in their heavenly home. She moved to Bloomington, IN in 1960 and worked for Indiana University.  Following a short and successful business venture, she moved to Cape Coral, FL in 1970. Norma lived in the Cape Coral and North Fort Myers area for forty-nine years.  She worked in Real Estate sales and was a loan officer for Barnett Bank, retiring in 1988.  She loved attending the children’s and grandchildren’s sports events and family gatherings.  In later years she worked as the stats keeper for her husband Paul’s senior softball teams. 

During high school and as part of her effort to support the war, Norma worked in a parachute factory manufacturing, packing and eventually inspecting parachutes for the military.  Following her high school graduation, she attended nursing school in the mid 1940’s until she realized her family couldn’t afford to keep her there and she made the sacrifice to come home and help the family.  She always spoke fondly of the cherished times in nursing school and her practice while there, as there was a shortage of nurses during wartime.  Later, upon returning home, Norma signed up for pilot lessons, but was disappointed to learn she would fall just short of earning her pilots license and becoming a support pilot for the war effort because of fuel rations and the cancelling of the flight training she attended.  Norma will be remembered for always thinking of and being available to help others.

She is survived by four loving children, Helen “Jayne” Gayle (Randy) of North Fort Myers, Michael Emmick (Carol) of North Fort Myers, Linda Jo Sanders of North Fort Myers, and Paul D. Drew (Julie) of Cape Coral; eight grandchildren; sixteen great grandchildren; as well as one great-great grandchild.

Norma was preceded in death by her husband, Paul W. Drew in 2016, and her sister Eldena R. Winterbottom in 1973.

A private graveside service will be held at Alva Cemetery, Cemetery Road, Alva, FL 33920 with Deacon Richard Savige officiating. 

Memorial Contributions in memory of Norma Jean Drew are suggested to Hope Hospice, 2430 Diplomat Pkwy. E., Cape Coral, FL  33909.

Mullins Memorial Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Cape Coral, is entrusted with final care.