Roll Call Tribute

Norma Jean (Subealdea) Eckard 

December 17, 1971 - August 27, 2026 

orma Jean Subealdea Eckard, 54, passed away unexpectedly on August 27, 2026. She was born on December 17, 1971, in San Antonio, Texas, to Mary Fuentes and Francisco Subealdea.

The youngest of four siblings, Norma was preceded in death by her father, Francisco. She is survived by her mother, Mary; her beloved child, Vienna Cavazos; her siblings, Conni, Frank, and Jesse Subealdea; her niece, Desiree; her nephews, Alfonso, Nick, Tim, and Zach; her dog, Winston; and her cats, Lilith and Victoria. She also leaves behind extended family members, treasured friends, and a community whose lives were brighter for having known her.

She graduated with the class of 1990 from Winston Churchill High School in San Antonio, Texas and briefly attended Texas A&M University before graduating from the University of the Incarnate Word in San Antonio, where she earned a BA in Interdisciplinary Studies and Religious Studies, as well as an MA in Elementary Education. She held many skills and talents leading to a rich and varied work history that included serving as an insurance adjuster at USAA, as a case manager for a foster care agency, and the Congregational Administrator at the Unitarian Universalists of Southern Delaware. Throughout every role she held, she dedicated herself to serving others.

Norma never accepted a cookie-cutter life. She chose to not always follow the rules, had a famously stubborn streak, and believed deeply that every person carried inherent dignity and belonging. She forged an unconventional path and was immensely proud of both her education and her spirituality, which she held close and rooted in the natural world.

She was immensely proud of her Latina heritage as demonstrated with her efforts in organizing Día de Los Muertos celebrations in Maryland and Delaware where she provided insights on the meaning of the holiday, connecting with cultural traditions, and offering educational activities for all ages.

Those close to Norma know that she expressed her love through creativity, making intricate plans, crafts, and handmade gifts for her friends and loved ones. She took great joy in making others smile, and her own wonderful laugh is impossible to forget. She appreciated life's simple pleasures and encouraged everyone around her to pursue whatever brought them happiness. She lived her fair share of difficult seasons, but refused to let them diminish her joy or define the way she lived. Instead, she met life with strength, resourcefulness, and determination.

Above all, Norma deeply loved her only child Vienna, encouraging them at every turn to pursue their passions and their purpose. The two were a well-known pair in Delaware’s legislative halls, inseparable and unmistakable.

Norma will be remembered for her loving heart, her stubborn spirit, her sense of humor, her devotion to her family, her creativity, her faith, and her unwavering ability to find hope despite life’s challenges. She will be deeply missed by her family, friends, colleagues, and all whose lives she touched.

A Memorial Service for Norma will be held at 2:30PM on October 3rd, 2026 at the Holy Spirit Catholic Church in San Antonio, Texas, as well as a Celebration of Life at 1:00PM on October 17th, 2026 at the Unitarian Universalists of Southern Delaware in Lewes, Delaware.