Norbert "Norbie" James Shew passed away on Sunday, November 10th, 2024. He was in the comfort of his home with family surrounding him when he was called to return to our heavenly Father. Norbie was born in Trinidad, CO, attending Holy Trinity parochial school for grades K-12. He attended the University of Notre Dame to play football but his dream was cut short after suffering a career ending injury. Norbie enlisted and served in the United States Army. He eventually met the love of his life, Marilyn, in Denver, CO. They married each other on May 10, 1965 and resided in Trinidad for the majority of that time.

Norbie was preceded in death by his loving wife Marilyn earlier this year, his parents James and Joanna (Veltri) Shew, in-laws David and Helen (Weinmeister) Hart, sister and brother-in-law Marie (Shew) and Florie Massarotti and many good friends and classmates. He is survived by his daughter & son-in-law Kellie (Shew) and James Jex, grandsons Christian Michael, Keegan James and Gavin Dean, brother-in-law and wife Robert and Shirley Hart, two (2) God-children, numerous nieces, nephews, brotherly friend - Joseph DiGarbo, high school classmates of 1956, prayer chain warriors and friends of all ages.

Norbie had a passion for athletics. He was a member of the 2-time Holy Trinity high school state championship football team. Later in life, he became a football and basketball referee at both the high school and collegiate levels traveling by car thousands of miles each year. Once his daughter, Kellie, was participating in high school sports, Norbie gave up referring to travel and watch each and every game and sport. During the last several years of life, Norbie enjoyed giving advice and watching his three (3) grandsons participate in flag football, soccer, basketball, wrestling and gymnastics. His only regret was that he was not able to "get out there" and "show" them how to do things! Despite a heart attack earlier this year, Norbie rallied back. He worked up to walking a minimum of 1.5 and some days up to 3.0 miles a day. Up until the last month of his life here on earth, he was working with his grandsons gymnastics coach making good gains in balance, endurance and strength.

For a short time, he was the Director of Parks and Recreation for the City of Trinidad, but Norbie decided to return to the family business..... working as a Sinton dairy distributer in southern Colorado. Norbie woke up early to begin his residential home-delivery route, made his stops at the local schools and businesses and hoped to finish his day by walking and playing the exceptionally well-maintained Trinidad Golf course with his buddies. He made time to be PTA president, coach his daughters junior high basketball team and led the school in the "jump rope for heart" when you actually had to train and jump rope for hours. He even ventured into real estate, passed the exam on the 1st try, sold one piece of property and realized that was not his calling:)!

Norbie was a very devote Catholic. This past fall, he took a renewal class for eucharistic ministers; was involved in several prayer chains that kept very busy praying for people for all ailments and denominations. One of his favorite mantra's was "Jesus, Jesus, Jesus". He was recently awarded a quilt of valor for his service in the military.

He enjoyed living with his immediate family despite the loud and unpredictable days, The passing of his wife, Marilyn in March was extremely difficult and he mourned her death every waking hour. He also missed being in his hometown of Trinidad with family and friends. He has left this earth, but is now another guardian angel watching over us. He is at peace in heaven's end zone and will forever be in our hearts.

A funeral mass will take place at 11:00 am on Wednesday, November 27th, 2024 at Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Tonasket, WA.

A memorial and celebration of life with family and friends in Trinidad, CO is pending and will occur in the spring/summer of 2025.