Christine (Tina) Gay Norman, née Saunders, 56, of Cope, CO passed away suddenly on Monday, December 21, 2020 after a long battle with cancer.

Tina was born on January 9, 1964 in Garden City, KS to Gary and Arlene Saunders, the oldest of their three daughters. She grew up in Idaho Springs, CO where she graduated from Clear Creek Secondary School. She spent her childhood skiing with her family, visiting relatives in Kansas, cheerleading, and waiting tables at the original Beau Jo's Pizza.

Tina grew up in a loving and happy home. Her dad loved to play practical jokes, something he passed on to her. She was always thinking of ways to make others laugh. Her mom cherished family and Tina was happy to help care for her as she aged. Tina was also close to both of her sisters growing up, a closeness that lasted her entire life. They spoke regularly and always had fun when together.

Tina and Kirk Norman found love at first sight when they spied one another across a crowded dance floor on New Year's Eve of 1980. Weeks later, unable to get Tina out of his head, Kirk stopped at a payphone in Idaho Springs to give her a call with no luck. All of a sudden, fate stepped in and she pulled up at the very same intersection. The rest is history. They were married in Idaho Springs on August 28, 1982 and later moved to Cope, CO. They built a wonderful, crazy, and happy life together and were married for over 38 years.

Tina was proud to be a farmer's wife, helping Kirk and their family as they raised wheat and other crops in Colorado as well as working as a custom harvest crew. She made the best harvest lunches and took pride in everything she did. She also loved working as a bus driver and cheerleading coach for the Arickaree School District.

Tina was a mother of four children, in addition to opening her home to multiple foster children. Home was always filled with laughter and fun and misadventures galore. Her kids remember her as the best cookie baker, homemaker, and caretaker. She was always present and never missed a birthday, anniversary, or holiday. They loved going camping, boating (despite multiple mishaps), and traveling.

She was a proud grandma of seven grandchildren. She couldn't wait to become a grandmother and felt that it was her calling to spoil them rotten. She never hesitated to offer them popsicles, make homemade play dough, or get down on the floor to play games. Everyone loved going on trips and adventures with Grandma.

Family was always important to Tina and she would drop everything to be there for them. Not only did she help care for her mother as she aged, but she spent many years helping to care for her in-laws as well. No task was too large and no act of kindness was too small, She was always there for loved ones in need, never expecting anything in return.

Tina and Kirk loved to travel and took trips to Washington state, California, Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Florida, Idaho, and many other places. In recent years they started spending their winter months in Quartzsite, AZ. They got their passports to go and see one of their daughters get married in Mexico and relished the chance to use them again to visit another daughter in Germany and even travel to Switzerland!

Tina never met a stranger and made everyone feel welcome when they entered her house. Her heart and home were always open. No matter where she was or what was going on, she was always the brightest light in the room. She can never be replaced but will always be with us in our hearts.

Tina was preceded in death by her parents, Gary and Arlene Saunders, and parents-in-law, Glen and Evelyn Norman.

Tina is survived by her husband of 38 years, Kirk Norman; her children, Ava (Joe) Coy, Amanda (Kenny) Montague, Webb (Tiffany) Norman, and Whitney (Nik) Benton; her seven grandchildren, Gracelynn Coy, Ledger Benton, Maddox Coy, Truett Benton, Garrett Montague, Kasen Norman, and Marcus Montague; her sisters, Carrie (Chris) Reedy and Jennifer Craig; and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends.

A service in memory of Tina will be held on January 9th, 2021 at the Cope Community Church at 11:00 am. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the wonderful paramedics and staff of South Y-W Ambulance Services of Kirk, CO.