In Memoriam – Norma Cowden (Sept. 14, 1920 – Oct. 12, 2022)

Norma Mae Cowden, mother to Paul and Greg Cowden and longtime active member of the San Francisco Region Citroën Car Club, passed away peacefully in her sleep at Vine Ridge Senior Living in Cloverdale, CA on October 12, 2022 at the age of 102.

Norma had a long and adventurous life. She and Greg put together her first 2CV in 1983 and then team drove it home to Orlando, Florida, where Norma drove it so much she wore out the car! Then in 1988, Greg got her a newer model, a Michel Fournet 2CV, which she also drove all over Florida until she moved out to California in 2000.

Norma and Greg also organized and participated in many Citroën Raid USA and Raid Canada events in the late 1980s and early 1990s. She drove her 2CV with other Citroënthusiasts to the tip of Baja and back when she was 80!

Born in Syracuse, New York, she followed in her mother’s footsteps to become a Registered Nurse. Norma met her handsome blue-eyed soldier husband Norman (Yes!) in NYC, married him in 1942 and moved to his hometown, Dayton, Ohio after World War ll.

After raising a family of two boys and a girl, she and Norm retired to Orange City, Florida where she fulfilled a promise to go skydiving on her 70th birthday!

In 2000, after Norman’s passing, Norma moved out to Rohnert Park, CA at the age of 80 to be near family. There she bought a house, joined Master Gardeners, beautifully landscaped her yard and drove her beloved 2CV everywhere. She was also an active member of the Arcane Auto Society.

She will be fondly remembered and greatly missed. A celebration of her life will be held in the Spring of 2023.

Paul Cowden can be reached by email at paulinsrca@gmail.com.