July 9, 1928 – May 13, 2018
It is with great sadness that the family of Norine “Muffy” McCrary, also known as Norine Wilcher Kimber, announces her passing on May 13, 2018. Norine lived a full life of travel and enjoyed a fulfilling career, all the while building and cherishing a beautiful family. She worked hard and enjoyed the simple pleasures of life, even as she battled cancer. Norine passed away just before her 90th birthday in her home with family at her side.
Norine was preceded in death by her father Charlie Wilcher; her mother, Rosa Bullard Martin; siblings Bill, Bob, and Jack Wilcher, and Imie Hylton; and son-in-law Bill Bocook. She is survived by her loving husband Homer “Bud” McCrary; her daughter Pat Bocook; her son and daughter-in-law Doug and Vonda DeOrian; her daughter and son-in-law Nicole and Sam Baxter; and her youngest daughter and son-in-law Cara and Bill Steffenhagen. “Grammy” also had ten grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
Norine was born July 9, 1928 in Orange Cove, CA. As a young child she lived in Felton with her family then moved to Soquel where she was raised by her Auntie Madge and Uncle Pat. She had fond memories of time spent with her father at Hume Lake, and with her grandfather near the Kings River, where she rode horseback herding cattle. Norine started her family with Malcolm DeOrian in Fresno and worked for the Fresno Convention Center. She also lived in Belgium, with her then husband Art Kimber, where she learned to speak French. There she worked for ITT, and her hobbies included playing bridge, restoring antiques, and bicycling. In the 1970s, she continued raising her family in Fremont, then relocated to Watsonville in the 1980s where she retired as a Credit Manager for Granite Rock Company.
In recent years, “Muffy” reunited with and married her childhood friend, Bud, and settled with him in the community of Swanton, north of Davenport. They enjoyed hiking together, ATV rides and bonfires, as well as birdwatching, holding hands, reminiscing, and spending time with family, including Big Creek, and their dog Sheeba. Norine played golf with her friends at DeLaveaga, Crazy Horse Ranch, and Pajaro Valley, where she recently got a hole in one. She also golfed with her family at the annual Bullard Cup Tournament at Sherwood Forest Golf Club in Sanger. Norine was a strong, vibrant woman with a beautiful smile. She was incredibly wise and the anchor of her beloved family, and her blue eyes sparkled when she was with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Our dear mom, friend, wife, and grammy will be missed and very fondly remembered.
A memorial service will be held at 1:00 p.m., Saturday, July 7th at the Oakwood Chapel, 3301 Paul Sweet Rd., Santa Cruz, followed by a reception at the Pasatiempo Golf Club (MacKenzie Bar & Grill) in Santa Cruz.
Memorial donations may be made to the American Cancer Society or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
If you like to send condolences to Norine’s family, light a candle in her memory or receive directions to Oakwood Chapel please visit www.scmemorial.com
