Norma Edith Ronan-Chafin

Norma Edith Ronan Chafin

August 25, 1941 – December 23, 2024

Norma Edith Ronan Chafin passed away peacefully on December 23, 2024.

Born August 25, 1941, in Middletown, CT, she was the eldest of four daughters born to George Vincent Ronan and Florence Lillian Ryon Ronan. When she was very young, the family relocated to Ocala, Florida which is where Norma grew up and attended Blessed Trinity Catholic School and Ocala High School graduating in 1958. She was the oldest of the “Ronan Sisters” which also included Patricia Ann, Prudence Ellen, and Katherine Mary.

After graduation from OHS, Norma went on to attend Florida State University. Graduating in only three years from the College of Education, she was a straight A student, with a focus in Mathematics, and she was also a member of the FSU Women’s Tennis Team, and Delta Delta Delta sorority.

Upon graduating from FSU in 1962, Norma married Robert William “Bill” Sheets, and they moved to Cocoa Beach, Florida where she taught Math at Cocoa Beach High School. Shortly thereafter, Norma gave birth to her first son Robert “Rob” William Jr., and three years later she gave birth to her second son James “Jim” Ronan Sheets in Ocala.

Norma and her family moved out to California where they lived in Santa Cruz for two years, and Alamo for three years. The family returned to Florida where they lived in Pompano Beach for a short time, before moving to Treasure Island, where she would live for the rest of her life, and live in the same house on the Intracoastal for the next 52 years.

While living in Treasure Island, Norma would become the Pro Shop Manager at the Treasure Island Tennis & Yacht Club. She would then go on to manage the Tennis Pro Shop at Harry Hopman’s International Tennis camp for the next 15 years at TITYC, Bardmoor, and Saddlebrook Resort.

Norma would meet the love of her life John “Johnny” Raymond Chafin and get married in 1979. At that time, she would also become the stepmother to two stepdaughters Johnna Lee Chafin and Cynthia Lee Chafin. She and Johnny were married for over 40 years until his death in 2022.

In 1986, Norma returned to teaching in the Pinellas County Public School system for a short time before landing her perfect job at the Canterbury School of Florida where she, of course, taught Math (her favorite was AP Calculus), and became the Head of the Math Department. Norma was also the Athletic Director, Coach of the Boys and Girls Tennis Teams, and the Cheerleading Sponsor. She always joked that one of the keys to being a successful teacher was to never let the students see you smile until after Christmas!

For many years following their retirements, Norma “the Goose” and Johnny enjoyed playing tennis, traveling, antiquing, fiesta ware, stained glass, enjoying their log home at Skylake up in the North Georgia mountains, and watching sports. They also enjoyed many years as “Gran” and “PapaJohn” to their adoring granddaughters Riley Elizabeth Sheets and Courteney Katherine Sheets.

Playing, coaching and watching sports was always a big part of Norma’s life. Her heroes in tennis were Mo Connelly, Althea Gibson and especially Billie Jean King. Norma was an avid fan of everything Florida State Seminoles, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Tampa Bay Rays and Tampa Bay Lightning.

Norma was pre-deceased by her parents George and Florence, sisters Pat and Prudy, husband Johnny, and stepdaughter Cindy.

Norma is survived by her sister “Aunt Kate” (and Uncle Bill) Cooper of Sarasota, stepdaughter Johnna (and Ray) Chewning of St. Petersburg, Rob (and Maggie) Sheets of Greenwich CT, and Jim (and Stella) Sheets of Clearwater. As well as her step-granddaughter Kandace Chewning of West Palm Beach and granddaughters Riley Sheets (and Will Bass) of New Caanan CT, and Courteney Sheets of Boulder CO.

In lieu of cards or flowers, the family would sincerely appreciate a donation to Florida State University, https://give.fsu.edu, SEARCH FUNDS for Norma Ronan Chafin Endowed Scholarship (F08165), which is awarded annually to a very deserving student from the Tampa Bay area, who wishes to study in the FSU College of Education, Health and Human Sciences, and become a teacher in one of the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) fields.

As Norma used to say, “I’m an Ole Nole, who’s all in for FSU…. GO NOLES!”

We all love you (a bushel and a peck, and a hug around the neck) and will miss you forever!

She will be laid to rest at Bay Pines National Cemetery.