Norma Jean Shawl Azure, 56, of Wolf Point passed away peacefully on Tuesday, March 5, 2014 at Northeast Montana Health Care Services, Inc. Norma left on her spiritual journey surrounded by her family who loved and adored her.
Norma was born on April 5, 1956 in Harlem, Montana, a daughter of David and Vivian (Bear) Shawl. She was raised on Ocean Hill at Fort Belknap and became educated in the Harlem, Saco, and Wolf Point Schools.
It was during her youthful years she met Adam Comelast and they got married in the spring of 1972. From this union together they had a son, Adam Gene Comeslast. They divorced and she later married Ervin Azure on September 18, 1994. They also divorced, but maintained a close and spiritual relationship. Ervin was always there to support and care for her.
During her childhood years growing up on Ocean Hill at the Fort Belknap Reservation, she earned many loving and playful nicknames due to her nature and character. She became seriously and playfully known as Jeannie, Jeannie Huska, Workhorse (for all the chores she completed in a tireless manner), Norma Jean, Norman Bates, Aunchee (instead of Auntie), Auntie Poopy, and most notably as Oda Mae. She had a quiet, gentle and sometimes rambunctious spirit.
Her love of life includes gardening and taking care of plants. She literally had a “green arm” rather than a “green thumb”. She was a person who was neat, orderly, and organization skills were an important part of her character. She took pride in her home as a homemaker and these skills were a reflection of these characteristics. She was also a great cook and she loved to visit and socialize over coffee with family and friends. She could be depended upon to help others in their time of need and would offer to help on a moment’s notice at any time.
She was a strong woman, who was often called upon for advice by her family members and friends. She commonly turned her own life’s lessons into teachable moments for her young family members. The small things in life mattered so much to her, such as teaching her nieces to knit and her nephews to tie their shoes. Her love of humor in life was also important to her. She was able to turn a frown upside down in a second.
Working on and off at various jobs throughout her life included driving the Headstart bus, being a Certified Nurse’s Assistant at Faith Lutheran Home, and a caregiver in assisted living at the Harada House at Wolf Point.
She was preceded in death by her ex-husband Adam Comeslast, her son Richard Allen Comeslast; father David James Shawl, and mother Vivian Bear Shawl. Her siblings preceding her death were David Matthew Shawl and Georgalene Lucille Jackson.
Survivors include her son Adam (Latrisha) Comelast, grandsons Matthew Williams and Charles Doney; brother Donald (Peggy) Shawl, sisters Nadine (George) McClammy, and Ruth (Ron) Jackson; Aunts Martha Lambert, Barbara (Victor) Perry, and Donna (Newton) Cantrell. Uncles Mike (Mary) Talks Different and Tom (Kay) Shawl and the Pond families.
Norma is also survived by many, many special grandchildren, nieces, and nephews.
A prayer service will be held 7 p.m. Sunday, March 9 at the Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel in Wolf Point. A funeral service will be held 10 a.m. Monday, March 10 at the Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel in Wolf Point. Interment will follow at the King Memorial Cemetery in Wolf Point. Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel of Wolf Point has been entrusted with the arrangements.