Obituary: Alma Norma Harrington

Alma Norma Harrington, a happy 31 year resident of Carson City, passed away at home, peacefully in her sleep at 96, January 19, 2012. She was born in Berlin, New Hampshire to Giuseppe and Angiolina Belisari. Though her childhood was spent in Parma, Italy, her parents' birthplace, at puberty, she returned to the U.S., grateful for an education to learn English, graduate early from Mission High School in San Francisco, with high scholastic honors, as well as in business school.

She met Michael Joseph Harrington (preceded in death, 1996), where they worked at the Home Insurance Co. They married and moved to Los Altos, CA, where she retired as secretary from Permanente Cement Co. in 1962. She loved America, had a thirst for knowledge, avid about politics. Her joys were her home with many trees, pets, the visiting deer and quail. Ballroom dancing (did exhibitions) was her main passion as well as cooking, watching TV news, old movies, pro tennis, plus frequenting the Nugget.

Hers was a quiet submission to old age, as if frailty and incapabilities were non-existent; in her 90's she shoveled snow and begged to mow the lawn.

Her only sibling is Louisa Vanderlinden, to whom she was the perfect role model. After their husbands passed away, they were able to live happily together for 15 years. Alma will be dearly missed by those who ever knew her. 'She had a great run!'

Survivors are niece, Diane Underwood and husband, Larry of Newman, CA; their son, Matthew Underwood and wife, Tricia and their son, Zach of San Leandro, CA; nephew, David Vanderlinden of Mountain Ranch, CA and nephew, Mark Vanderlinden and wife, Rhonda and their daughters, Amy and Jessica of Sunnyvale, CA.

At her request, no services will be held. Arrangements entrusted to Walton's Chapel of the Valley.