Today we’d like to introduce you to Norma Donlon.
Hi Norma, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
Born in a tar paper shack at the Camp Jerome War Relocation Center in Denson, Arkansas during WWII, I began life with my family incarcerated along with 120,000 Americans of Japanese Ancestry in 10 relocation camps built across the United States.
When my parents were released from the camp (dad in September of 1943 and Mother in January 1944) the government would not let them return to their home in California, so they settled in NYC. I was left in the care of my paternal grandparents until we were reunited about 18 months later. Life was very hard for our family and we had little money. Eventually there were 11 people living in a one-bedroom garage apartment in Larchmont, NY. Everyone hadrf to finish their education or find a job.
My father worked 2 full time jobs at night and attended Columbia University working toward a degree in Mechanical Engineering. My mother was a bookkeeper for Pearl Buck at the East and West Publishing Company in NYC. My grandparents continued to be my primary caregivers, and I did not spend much time with my parents. When each of the family members was able, they moved away to start their own lives. Our small family of 3 found a one room tenement apartment in Harlem. We shared one kitchen and one bathroom for the entire floor!
At the age of five I began school at P.S. 13 in NYC. Since I could already read, I was placed in the first grade (skipped kindergarten.) I walked to and from school on my own.
Graduating from Columbia, my father moved us to Michigan, where he had his first job. During the 2 years we lived in Michigan, we were the only family of Asian Ancestry in our small town, which made the children very curious of me, and I was bullied and made fun of almost every day. Even so I choose to remember the kind people who lived there and had my first best friend with whom I am still in touch with today some 72 years later!
Two local businesses I admire in Leavenworth are:
1. The Suburban Restaurant, beautiful restaurant with an outside garden and exceptional food. The owner supports causes for our Veterans and the community with time, energy and donations. Thesuburbanrestaurant.com
2. The Depot, a unique and historic restaurant with signature dishes that more than satisfy your cravings! Very hard-working family endeavor with both parents and children working to please their customers. Supports our Veterans and continuously donates to their causes and local charities. Thedepot1887.com
Born in a tar paper shack at the Camp Jerome War Relocation Center in Denson, Arkansas during WWII, I began life with my family incarcerated along with 120,000 Americans of Japanese Ancestry in 10 relocation camps built across the United States.
When my parents were released from the camp (dad in September of 1943 and Mother in January 1944) the government would not let them return to their home in California, so they settled in NYC. I was left in the care of my paternal grandparents until we were reunited about 18 months later. Life was very hard for our family and we had little money. Eventually there were 11 people living in a one-bedroom garage apartment in Larchmont, NY. Everyone hadrf to finish their education or find a job.
My father worked 2 full time jobs at night and attended Columbia University working toward a degree in Mechanical Engineering. My mother was a bookkeeper for Pearl Buck at the East and West Publishing Company in NYC. My grandparents continued to be my primary caregivers, and I did not spend much time with my parents. When each of the family members was able, they moved away to start their own lives. Our small family of 3 found a one room tenement apartment in Harlem. We shared one kitchen and one bathroom for the entire floor!
At the age of five I began school at P.S. 13 in NYC. Since I could already read, I was placed in the first grade (skipped kindergarten.) I walked to and from school on my own.
Graduating from Columbia, my father moved us to Michigan, where he had his first job. During the 2 years we lived in Michigan, we were the only family of Asian Ancestry in our small town, which made the children very curious of me, and I was bullied and made fun of almost every day. Even so I choose to remember the kind people who lived there and had my first best friend with whom I am still in touch with today some 72 years later!
When I was seven, I had a very bad case of measles, ran a high fever that destroyed the nerves in my ears. This left me with a severe hearing loss that became progressively worse as I grew up. Learning to lip read I continued with my education and eventually needed to have hearing aids.
After one year of college, I left to begin working as a personal assistant and special events director. Married to an Army Officer at age 20, we were married one year when he volunteered for duty in Vietnam… he was killed in action one week before he was to return home…
The next 3-1/2 years were the most challenging of my life, but I did meet and marry another career Army Officer. We raised 4 sons and had a wonderful 55-year marriage until he died of Agent Orange related Parkinson’s Disease in January of 2024.
My chosen career was that of a wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother, caregiver and always a volunteer in whatever community I was living in. After living in cities all over the United States and 3 countries overseas, we chose Leavenworth, Kansas as our retirement home in 1998. I intend to remain here as I love the people and standard of living in the “Heart of America” and being near such a wonderful metropolitan area… Kansas City!
Recently I have become an author and my book, “Soldiers Widow… Soldiers Wife… Soldiers Mother” was published in June 2025. (The book is available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and BookMad… for autographed copies please contact the author at [email protected]) After being on the road doing speeches and book signings the past 6 months, I will take a couple of months off to complete the second manuscript I am currently working on, “Forty-six Years of Silence” The journey of one American family of Japanese ancestry from Immigration… to Internment… and Redress.
I’m most proud of always following the path God has set for me and VERY proud of the resilient family I grew up in. They all, in their own way, led our family to have happy successful lives without anger and bitterness! The primary influences in my life have been my paternal grandmother, my father and my second husband, Roger Donlon.
Being a human being is a trait common to all of us, and I am no different. We are all born with potential… it is up to us to make choices to reach that potential. For me, commitment is important… especially in marriage and raising children. It takes “teamwork to make the dreamwork!” Our faith helps all of us follow our hearts, to love and be loved, live our dreams, never give up, to be passionate, have limitless energy, and to always embrace possibility.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
When I was seven, I had a very bad case of measles, ran a high fever that destroyed the nerves in my ears. This left me with a severe hearing loss that became progressively worse as I grew up. Learning to lip read I continued with my education and eventually needed to have hearing aids.
After one year of college, I left to begin working as a personal assistant and special events director. Married to an Army Officer at age 20, we were married one year when he volunteered for duty in Vietnam… he was killed in action one week before he was to return home…
The next 3-1/2 years were the most challenging of my life, but I did meet and marry another career Army Officer. We raised 4 sons and had a wonderful 55-year marriage until he died of Agent Orange related Parkinson’s Disease in January of 2024.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
My chosen career was that of a wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother, caregiver and always a volunteer in whatever community I was living in. After living in cities all over the United States and 3 countries overseas, we chose Leavenworth, Kansas as our retirement home in 1998. I intend to remain here as I love the people and standard of living in the “Heart of America” and being near such a wonderful metropolitan area… Kansas City!
Recently I have become an author and my book, “Soldiers Widow… Soldiers Wife… Soldiers Mother” was published in June 2025. (The book is available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and BookMad… for autographed copies please contact the author at [email protected]) After being on the road doing speeches and book signings the past 6 months, I will take a couple of months off to complete the second manuscript I am currently working on, “Forty-six Years of Silence” The journey of one American family of Japanese ancestry from Immigration… to Internment… and Redress.
Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
I’m most proud of always following the path God has set for me and VERY proud of the resilient family I grew up in. They all, in their own way, led our family to have happy successful lives without anger and bitterness! The primary influences in my life have been my paternal grandmother, my father and my second husband, Roger Donlon.
Being a human being is a trait common to all of us, and I am no different. We are all born with potential… it is up to us to make choices to reach that potential. For me, commitment is important… especially in marriage and raising children. It takes “teamwork to make the dreamwork!” Our faith helps all of us follow our hearts, to love and be loved, live our dreams, never give up, to be passionate, have limitless energy, and to always embrace possibility.
Contact Info:
- Other: [email protected]
