Obituary of Norine Kimber McCrary

It is with great sadness that the family of Norine "Muffy" McCrary, also known as Norine Wilcher Kimber, announces her passing on Sunday, May 13, 2018. Norine was a strong, vibrant woman who had a beautiful smile and loved a good laugh. She was well respected and was a friend to everyone. 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 always found a way to enjoy 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 has ten grandchildren (Drew, Shana, Andrew, Sarah, John, Eric, Corrie, Steve, Wyatt, and Elijah), and four great-grandchildren (Bryn, Cole, Avery, and Holden). Norine was born July 9th, 1928 in Orange, CA, and grew up in Felton, Soquel, and Fresno. She was especially fond of her Auntie Madge and Uncle Pat who raised her in early childhood. Norine also had pleasant memories of times spent at Hume Lake, where her dad ran pack trains to Mount Whitney and Bishop from Hume Lake. She especially loved her visits with her grandpa, where he ran cattle at Mill Creek Basin near the Kings River. Norine started her family with Malcom DeOrian in Fresno and worked for the Fresno Convention Center. She lived for many years in Brussels, Belgium, with her then husband Art Kimber, where she learned to speak fluent French. There she worked for ITT, and her hobbies included playing bridge with her newfound and lifelong friends, restoring antiques, and bicycling. In her later years, Norine lived in Watsonville where she retired as a highly respected Credit Manager for Granite Rock Company. She loved to play golf with her friends at Pajaro Valley, DeLaveaga, and Crazy Horse Ranch; and with family at the annual Bullard Cup Tournament at Sherwood Forest in Fresno County. Her canine companion, Rascal, accompanied her on the road wherever she went, except the coffee shop at Watsonville Hospital where she volunteered. In recent years, "Muffy" reunited with her childhood best friend and settled with Bud in Davenport. "Babe & Honey" enjoyed hiking together, ATV rides, socializing at CalPoly bonfires, mingling with family at Big Creek Lumber, as well as the simpler things in life like birdwatching, holding hands, reminiscing, spending time with family and of course their much-loved dog Sheeba. Norine was incredibly wise and the anchor of her beloved family. She was an avid fan of Arnold Palmer, loved the 49ers, and enjoyed painting, but nothing lit up "Muffy's" sparkly blue eyes more than her grandchildren and great-grandbabies. Our dear mom, friend, wife, and Grammy will be missed and very fondly remembered. A Memorial Service will be held at 1:00 pm on July 7, 2018 at the Oakwood Crystal Chapel, 3301 Paul Sweet Rd., Santa Cruz, followed by a reception at Pasatiempo Golf Club (MacKenzie Bar & Grill) in Santa Cruz. Memorial Donations in memory of Norine may be made to the American Cancer Society or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.