Norma Brownell Fuller is the identified person in focus.
Norma "Cookie" Brownell Fuller: A Life of Adventure and Art
Norma "Cookie" Brownell Fuller, a woman of remarkable resilience and diversity, passed away on July 15, 2025, in Sheridan, Wyoming, at the age of 98. Born on December 2, 1926, in Manila, Philippine Islands, to Colonel James Russell Brownell and Vera Cook Brownell, Norma's life was deeply intertwined with the military and the arts.
Raised in the jungle of the Bataan Peninsula, Norma was homeschooled by her mother until she was eight years old. Her early life was steeped in the rich culture of the Philippines, a backdrop that would later influence her passionate involvement in the arts. After moving to Orlando, Florida, and later St. Louis, Missouri, Norma graduated from Mary Institute, a private high school, and later from DePauw University.
In 1950, Norma married Lieutenant Elisha (Jim) Fuller at Fort Hood, Texas, a union that would further tie her life to the military. Their marriage saw them move and live in multiple military postings, including the Presidio of San Francisco and Heidelberg, Germany, where they welcomed their children into the world. Norma gave birth to twin sons, James and Robert, in 1953 at the Presidio of San Francisco, California, and had a daughter, Alice Kerns, in 1956 in Heidelberg, Germany.
Throughout her husband's military career, Norma and her family moved 22 times, a circumstance that enriched her appreciation for diverse cultures and the arts. This extensive global travel shaped her into an enthusiast and a teacher who shared her love for the arts with her family, friends, and tour recipients.
Norma's art career and engagement with the arts were a significant part of her identity alongside her military family background. Her influence in arts education and appreciation within her community was profound. She leaves behind a legacy of 12 great-grandchildren and grandchildren: Brendon Kerns, Trent Kerns, Elizabeth Fuller, Joanna Cervantez, Taylor Kerns.
Arrangements for Norma are under the care of Sheridan Funeral Home. Online condolences can be made at www.sheridanfuneral.com. A Celebration of Life for Norma will be held in the fall.
Norma's life was a testament to resilience, adaptability, and a deep-rooted love for the arts. Her spirit will live on in the hearts of those she touched and in the arts community she so passionately served.
Traveling extensively due to her husband's military career, Norma Fuller embraced diverse cultures and the arts, which later became a significant part of her identity. Her passion for the arts, inspired by her experiences in the Philippines and fueled by her global travels, led her to teach and share her love for the arts with her community.
