Norma Jean Ruschell

Norma Jean Kelley Ruschell, 80, of Bethesda, Maryland, died at 8:50 a.m. on Thursday, September 5, 2024, as a result of complications following a fall. She was born in Washington, Pennsylvania, on March 10, 1944, a daughter of the late George William Kelley and Ethel Winona Gump. She was the youngest of three sisters, along with Rosie and Nellie. Norma Jean was always the “baby” in the family, but later in life she became a pillar of support for family and friends. She cared for her sisters as much as a sister could and was always the one to organize helping someone in need. She was a proud member of the Daughters of the American Revolution. In her 20’s, Norma took up the martial art of judo and fell in love with her instructor Ralph Ruschell of Avella, Pennsylvania. Together they moved to the Washington, DC, metropolitan area, where she continued to train and teach at the Washington Judo Club with Olympians, such as Jim Bregman. Norma devoted nearly 40 years to a career as a medical technician at the National Institute of Health (NIH) in Bethesda, Maryland. She worked with leading medical researchers by providing hematology lab diagnostics for patients, including those with HIV/AIDs, Ebola, and rare forms of leukemia and cancer. Being a strong independent woman, she marched in Washington DC in the 1960s along with Martin Luther King in support of achieving civil rights for all. During violent unrest from the Vietnam War, she stood in solidarity with students protesting on the University of Maryland campus. On a lighter side, Norma was always cheerful, had an infectious laugh, and loved planning parties at her home and at the NIH lab. She also was an avid traveler throughout her life, whether for medical conferences, vacations, or shopping trips. Her travels included trips to Florida with her boys and QVC shopping trips with Linda Nunn. She was always up for adventure with her longtime friend, Martina Taylor, including traveling to France for her 65th birthday. Although divorced for years, she maintained a good relationship with Ralph for the benefit of their sons, Erik and Jason. Late in life, Norma fell in love again when she reunited with her high school sweetheart, Terry Weaver, who survived the Vietnam War and reconnected with her after leading separate yet full lives. Together they shared several years together between Maryland and New Jersey, proving that where there is love, there is a way. Sadly, Terry passed away unexpectedly in January 2024. Always a fighter, she survived a serious stroke in 2023, but with rehabilitation, made it back to us and was enjoying life again until her unexpected passing. She always encouraged her two sons to be as motivated and driven as she had always been, and those traits were certainly passed on to her children. She may be gone, but she will always be with us. Norma Jean was preceded in death by the love of her life, by her companion, Terry Lynn Weaver. She is survived by two sons, Erik and Jason; grandson Kristian; two cats, Ajax and Xena; and her oldest sister, Nellie Baker. Family and friends will be received from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., the hour of service, Friday, September 20, 2024, in William G. Neal Funeral Homes, Ltd., 925 Allison Avenue, Washington, with Pastor Clayton LaPosta officiating. Burial will follow in North Buffalo Cemetery, Washington