The smallest call her “cool.” Tweens love her energy. Teens see her joy. And catechists are awed by her dedication.

“She has touched the lives of every single family in this parish in some way or another,” said Michaeleen Davis, who steps up when Stokes needs volunteers for special projects or for Vacation Bible Schools.

“Norma is there to help whoever needs help,” Davis said. “When we had Hurricane Helene, she was helping everybody. She gives of herself 110%, and she has always done that.”

Longtime parishioner Joanne Babbin said Stokes really cares.

“She has helped guide this parish for 22 long years. She has gone above and beyond in so many ways,” Babbin said, recounting how Stokes visits people in the hospital and goes out of her way to make sure others get their medications. “Norma comforts” those who need it, she said.

That is a servant’s soul at work: dropping everything to help somebody in distress.

It comes natural to Stokes, and it reassures parishioners that their DRE has everything under control. When she is teaching the parish's little ones about the Lord, parents know their itty-bitties are getting a great education in faith. They know because they see her live it every day.

When folks in the parish heard Stokes was retiring this summer, they threw her a beautiful bash that filled the gym. They also picked the perfect day: the feast of Sts. Peter and Paul, two giants of evangelization.

“She’s a great spiritual guide,” Donna Vasic, parish secretary, said. “She’s so open. You can go to her for anything. And she’s so funny!”

Perhaps that's why folks feel so at ease approaching Stokes for help.

Parishioner Helen Elston said Stokes is “very efficient, very religious. She’s helped a lot of people become Catholic.”

In fact, the theme of Stokes' last Vacation Bible School was “Joy of June.” It focused on teaching the kids how to pray the Joyful Mysteries of the rosary. 

This “Joy of June” VBS made an impression on Sammy Mikulasovich, who is going into fourth grade.

“We were talking about the rosary,” he said. “We talked about how the rosary can protect you from the devil.”

Stokes also made an impression on him. “She’s very kind.”

George Sietmann, who moved here from New York in the 10th grade, said Stokes is “really nice,” then wondered how such a nice person could take control of a room full of rambunctious children. “I don’t know how she does it. She can keep 60 kids in order.”

Parishioners of all ages see her deep faith making a difference.

“We’re helping the Church to grow. Our future is with these children, and she’s doing a marvelous job,” Davis said.

Two notes written at her retirement party sum up how parishioners feel about their retiring DRE: “Thank you for your love and guidance all these years,” and “You have been the leader that we have admired.”

Stokes said she looked around the gym and felt humbled.

Scrapbooks at the event showed youth groups through the years having fun, and she noticed that some of the youth in those photographs were present with their own children.

“The families that I serve probably mean the most to me because that guarantees the continuity of the faith,” Stokes said.

What’s next for this pastoral dynamo? Her friends said this party might be over, but there is always another one down the road.

“She’s going to do some traveling then she’s going to come back and volunteer,” Davis predicted. “She just wants to enjoy and help the parish.”

Sts. Peter and Paul would be proud of this retiree with the heart of a servant.