Norma Jean Ciabattoni
Norma Jean Ciabattoni of Upland, died peacefully in her home surrounded by her family on November 8, 2021.
Born Norma Jean Kobbeman, to parents Art and Reva Kobbeman on January 17, 1930 in Lincoln Kansas. Norma and her older brother Donald Kobbeman were the only children to Art and Reva. Norma graduated from Lincoln High School in 1947. After graduation, she enrolled in school to be a teletype operator in Kansas City. After receiving her certificate, she was hired by TWA in 1948 and shortly after transferred to Chicago at Midway Airport.
She met Joseph L. Ciabattoni in the Fall of 1948, while working at Midway Airport...little did she know he would be the love of her life for 71 years. “Kobbie”, as her beloved Joseph would come to call her, fell hard for the handsome young man. During the next two years Joe and Norma cultivated their love and the foundation for which they would build their life upon. They were married in November of 1950 at St. Cyprian Catholic Church in River Grove, Illinois. As Joe made his way to become an American Airlines pilot, Norma enjoyed being a housewife. With the birth of her children (Cathy, Randy, Jim, Deanna, Dave and Jeff), she loved and supported her family as a dedicated mother and wife. She was more than happy to be the central figure in the lives of her children. Anyone who knew them knew that she was a star in their eyes, and that’s all that ever mattered to her.
In September of 1976, Joseph and Norma left Chicago and moved to Upland, California and have lived there ever since. As time went on, Norma’s love for her family grew even more with the blessings of grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Their laughter and endless energy gave her so much joy. She also loved to sew and crochet gifts of love in her free time. It was not uncommon to see hand sewn dresses on her granddaughters for their first day of school or a family holiday.
Norma is survived by her beloved husband Joseph L. Ciabattoni. Her six children Cathy Wessel (Dan), Randy Ciabattoni (Sue), Jim Ciabattoni, Deanna Norrdin (Doug ), Dave Ciabattoni (Debbie), and Jeff Ciabattoni (Rachel) and her eleven grandchildren, Rebecca, Eric, Tammie, Malorie, Mike, Laura, Sarah, Luke, Emily, Kai and Shane. Norma was further blessed by her ten great-grandchildren Asher, Ella-Jayne, Josiah, Broderick, Lily, James, Bennett, Cristina, Charles and Monroe.
While our hearts are sad we are profoundly grateful to have shared so many years with Norma, wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother and friend. Surely heaven opened wide for one so good and kind.
A viewing will be held at Stone Funeral Service in Upland on Tuesday, December 7th from 2:00-4:00 pm. A funeral mass will be held at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in Upland on Wednesday, December 8th at 11 o’clock in the morning. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America.
Fond memories & expressions of sympathy may be shared with the Ciabattoni family via stonefuneralhomeupland.com.