Norma Emma Pequeno

Norma Emma Pequeño was born to the late Joaquin Pequeño, Jr. and the late Concepcion (Cavazos) Pequeño in 1957. Norma was the youngest of 9 children in the family. She was preceded in death by her brother Leandro Pequeño and her sister Guadalupe (Pequeño) Wilty and her brother in law Jack Smith. She is survived by her sisters Cecilia (Pequeño) Briseno (Frank), Virginia (Pequeño) Boyce (Nick), and Mary (Pequeño) Smith, and her brothers Daniel Pequeño (Eileen), Jose Pequeño (Karen), Joaquin Pequeño (Connie). There are also generations of Nieces and Nephews.

She was a very social person and enjoyed interaction with her friends at dances and gatherings for social groups set up for Special People. She participated in karate and tai chi with the Kenner Recreation Department. She was a model for PIC Fashions, a local clothing company that designs clothes for people with Downs Syndrome. The Social and Recreational organizations she participated in were: We Care for Special People, The Pinnacles (Jefferson Parish, LA Recreation Dept.), Special Bowlers, and Special Rollers. She has been a past Mardi Gras Maid and Queen in these organizations.

Norma was a very spiritual person. This aspect of her life was evident in her expression when praying at church. Once this was recognized by the clergy and staff at Nativity of Our Lord church in Kenner, LA, she was invited to become an Altar Server. This was a significant event because there were only a few female Altar Servers in the New Orleans area and there were no Altar Servers we knew of that had Down Syndrome. It was also before the Vatican directive in 1994 that allowed females to participate in the ministry. Norma served Our Lord on the altar for 17 years. She had the recognition of being the oldest Altar Server in the Archdiocese of New Orleans and was also awarded Altar Server of the Year for the Archdiocese.
Relatives and friends of the family are invited to attend a visitation on Thursday, November 21, 2019 beginning at 7:00 PM at Garden of Memories Funeral Home, 4900 Airline Dr. in Metairie. Visitation will begin Friday, November 22, 2019 at 9:00 AM. A rosary will be said at 11:00 AM, and a funeral mass will be held at 11:30 AM in the funeral home chapel. Interment will follow in Garden of Memories Cemetery.

The family is requesting that in lieu of flowers that a donation be made In Memory of Norma Pequeno to the Magnolia Community Services, 100 Central Ave, Jefferson, LA 70121. Donation can also be made on their website
https://www.mcs-nola.org go to the Give Now link on the menu bar go to the Give Now link on the menu bar and select the amount and area of the organization you wish to contribute, then Check the box “Please check here if you would like to dedicate this donation. You will then select “In Memory Of” and put “Norma Pequeno” in the tribute name box.
The rest of the form is self-explanatory.

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