Kooweerup loses loyal supporter

By Garry Howe

Kooweerup Football Club lost one of its finest supporters only days after she watched the reserves break a three decade premiership drought on Saturday.
Norma O’Hehir passed away peacefully at Killara Nursing Home on Tuesday morning in the company of her large family. She was 87.
A supporter for 55 years and life member of the club, Norma and her great friend June Esler had their own car parking space reserved on the boundary of the Kooweerup Recreation Reserve.
Gazette photographer Stewart Chambers took a photo of Norma on Saturday as she watched her grandson Jack Carson win the grand final, nursing his son Jett.

Norma was thrilled after her team’s victory.

 

Daughter Maree Evans said Norma had a great day at the football.
“She was screaming like a little girl after they won the flag,” Maree said. “All she ever wanted to see was Kooweerup win another senior premiership – and she did that.”
Maree made a video recording of her conversation with Norma after the final siren, where she conceded it was probably her last game of football – and she had seen a premiership.
“Oh it’s fantastic,“ she said. “This will be my last day… I’m to old, I won’t be seeing it anymore.”
Maree said Norma had been a tireless worker for the club over many years and loved watching her children or grandchildren play – although only on the football field.
“She was footy mad and she hardly ever came to watch us when we played netball.”
Maree, a former teacher at Kooweerup Secondary College, said all the local kids idolised her.
“They couldn’t believe I was ‘Nanna Norma’s’ daughter – she was a real celebrity in their eyes.”
Family members sat by Norma’s bedside all night and she passed away at 7.50am on Tuesday 19 September.
“There must have been about 30 in her room at one stage – and that’s just immediate family,” Maree said.
Norma and her late husband Rich had seven children.
The funeral has been set down for 11am on Tuesday 26 September at St John the Baptist Church, Kooweerup, and Norma will be buried at Pakenham Cemetery.