Norma Lane Nuss

Norma Lane Nuss passed away peacefully in her sleep the morning of Saturday, March 2nd, surrounded by her family and by love. Born and raised in Denver, Colorado, Norma spent an enchanted childhood riding horses, fishing, ballet dancing, playing piano, hunting, and spoiling her father's hunting dogs. After graduating from University of Colorado, she moved to California, where she met Lieutenant Jerry John Nuss. Ever the punster, Jerry immediately introduced his new love as "Melody," after "Melody Lane," a popular song at the time. Jerry and Melody were married for over 57 years and traveled the world together until finally settling in Charleston, the one city they could agree on. In ports of call around the world, from London to Naples, Melody raised their two children, Judy Werrell and John Nuss, with lavish love and warmth, with Germanic gusto, and with a contagious joie de vivre, emphasizing above all their cultural education-and tidiness, of course. All attempts at teaching children are met with some resistance, even against Mommy More Meanest ("3M" for short): pictures of the Nuss family in Venice or in Salzburg are not complete without bunny ears over somebody's head. All attempts at spoiling grandchildren, however, are met with enthusiasm and relish. Jane and Alex Werrell, to whom Melody was lovingly known as YaYa, were read to-Flat Stanley most often, were buried in Beanie Babies, were picked up sick from (or of) school, were pampered, and were loved. Her voice and her love brought to life the Hundred Acre Wood for her grandchildren. Melody was devoted to St. Mary's Church and received an Apostolic Blessing from Pope John Paul II for her service. On the other hand, she also brought uncommon ferocity to the bridge table and to Chinese checkers. When not praying or gaming, Melody spent many afternoons needlepointing with her faithful dogs, as spoiled as her grandchildren, at her feet. Her patient work is seen in family stockings each Christmas, and every Sunday on the kneelers at Grace Episcopal Church. Her largest and greatest work, a cover for a piano bench, decorates the piano on which she played "Anitra's Dance" so often. Inspired by a lifetime of admiring art and beauty-she loved Florence, its buildings, its history, and its art-Melody was a member of the Gibbes Women's Council for over three decades and often volunteered in the gift shop at the museum. Because of her passion for history, architecture, and restoration, Melody served as a board member and treasurer of the Historic Ansonborough Neighborhood Association. Melody remained active in Kappa Kappa Gamma for over sixty years. Her interest in her husband's commitments led her to become a Paul Harris Fellow of Rotary as well as a life member of the Navy League of the United States. She is survived by her husband retired Captain Jerry Nuss, her son John Nuss, her daughter and son-in-law Judy and Bill Werrell, her grandchildren Jane and Alex Werrell, and a very spoiled Bedlington Terrier named Nicholas. The relatives and friends of Jerry and Norma Nuss are invited to a Memorial Mass celebrating the life of Norma at 3:00 PM on Tuesday, March 5, 2013, from the sanctuary of St. Mary's Catholic Church, with a reception following the service from 5:00 - 7:00 at the family house, 58 Anson Street, Charleston, SC. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the St. Vincent de Paul Society of the Church of St. Mary, 89 Hasell Street, or to the Nuss Family Endowment at the College of Charleston Foundation, 66 George Street, or to a charity of one's choice.