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In Loving Memory of Norbert “Norbie” James Shew

Norbert “Norbie” James Shew, 86, passed away on Sunday, November 10th, 2024. He at
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
his true love, 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 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 watched each and every game and sport. During the last several years of his life, Norbie enjoyed
giving advice and watching his three (3) grandsons participate in ag football, soccer,
basketball, swimming, wrestling, gymnastics, and piano. 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 diligently and proudly 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 grandson’s 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 at Southern Colorado Dairy as a
Sinton dairy Distributor. Norbie woke up early to begin his residential home-delivery route,
made his stops at the local schools and businesses (visiting along the way,) 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, and assist with many of his daughter’s
sports teams, and led Mt. Carmel school in the “jump rope for the heart” when you actually had to
train and jump rope for hours. He even ventured into real estate and passed the exam on the 1st
try, sold one piece of property, and realized that was not his calling:)!
Norbie was a very devoted Catholic. This past fall, he took a renewal class for eucharistic
ministers and was involved in several prayer chains that kept him very active in praying for people
with ailments and needs from multiple denominations. A favorite mantra of Norbie’s was
“Jesus, Jesus, Jesus”. He was a true patriot for our country and was honored to recently be
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 took 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.

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