Carolyn Hardy Van Norman

Carolyn Van Norman ObituaryObituary published on Legacy.com by Osborn Funeral Home - Shreveport on Mar. 8, 2026.Carolyn Hardy Van Norman, born April 12, 1944 and raised in Mt. Pleasant, TX, died on March 3, 2026 at home in Shreveport, LA. Heaven gained someone remarkable. Carolyn was a beautiful, smart, kind, generous, and selfless person who prioritized others. She was fair, never had an ill word to say about anyone, and always gave others the benefit of the doubt. And if you knew Carolyn, you understood her ability to make others feel good when around her. She was also witty, stylish, and had an eye for beauty. She took great pride in her surroundings and home. Carolyn excelled at everything she did. She was an excellent painter, cook, and hostess who served good food, plenty of it, and insisted on sending you home with the leftovers. She was also an avid reader who loved her book club, a prayerful Catholic and member of a sweet Bible study group, and a fervent LSU sports fan. Carolyn was steady, only to be exasperated by the cable provider and when she couldn't find LSU on TV.Carolyn met the love of her life while studying for her bachelors in science in Pre-Medicine and being a member of the Chi Omega Fraternity, serving as vice president, at McNeese University in Lake Charles, LA. She always talked about how she could not believe the "most handsome" Rusty Van Norman asked her out. Following their marriage in 1965, Carolyn graduated and started her lifelong career in education. She taught high school for six years in Lake Charles before moving to New Orleans for Rusty's career in 1972. New Orleans would be where they raised their two children, Russ and Jen, and created a great childhood for them. They were married for 59 years.While in New Orleans, Carolyn taught high school physics, chemistry and biology for 16 years at L.W. Higgins. She received numerous teaching awards during this time, such as Outstanding Teacher, Excellence in Teaching, Regional Teacher of the Year, Distinguished High School Teacher, and was a Teacher-in Residence recipient. However, she felt most rewarded whenever a former student told her that she inspired them to pursue a career in the medical sciences. After over 20 years in the classroom, Carolyn worked as a Science Resource Teacher, Assistant Principal, Principal and Assistant Superintendent. She mentored many young education professionals during her time as Principal and Assistant Superintendent. Carolyn's draw to the classroom was strong and for two years during her time as a Resource Teacher, she taught evening classes to education majors at Loyola University.After Carolyn and Rusty retired, they moved to Shreveport in 2020 to be closer to their kids and grandkids. "Honey", as she was affectionally called, was a thoughtful grandmother. She was famous for her "Chocolate Chippers" baked from a recipe straight off the morsal package and "Texas Trash" Chex mix, always angsting if she made enough for both kids' families. Honey also had a knack for picking out the most perfect Hallmark Signature card for every birthday. She would get so excited and proud when she found "the one". Carolyn was also a devoted wife and caretaker to Rusty when he developed Dementia later in life. Rusty had a particular affection for Strawns Eat Shop (who could blame him) and Carolyn would happily take him there to eat sometimes three times a day if that's what he wanted. Life was great because we had Honey and we were truly blessed to have her as long as we did.Carolyn was preceded in death by her parents, Olin and Isabell Hardy and her husband, Russell Howard Van Norman, Jr. Left to cherish her memory are her son Dr. Russell Howard Van Norman III and his wife Susanna Cage Van Norman and her daughter Mrs. Jennifer Van Norman Veluvolu and her husband, Dr. Anil Veluvolu; grandchildren, Connor William Couvillon, Russell "Van" Howard Van Norman, IV., Weldon "Cage" Van Norman, Ayan Hardy Veluvolu, Theiler Frances Van Norman, Ana Elizabeth Veluvolu, and Ari Lizette Veluvolu; sister, Frances "Francie" Ryder (Robert); sister-in-law Anna Marie "Bitsy" Van Norman and brother-in-law Ted Van Norman (Zee); nephews, William "Wick" Cooper, Kevin Ryder (Gretchen); nieces Katherine "Kitty" Manuel (Buddy), Christina Cooper Dowd (Tim), Dr. Kelly Ryder (Tim), Erin Winther (Christian), Leigh Ann Ward (Lionel), and Laura Burke (William).A Memorial Service followed by a visitation and reception will be held on Saturday March 21, 2026, at Osborn Funeral Home, 3631 Southern Avenue, Shreveport, Louisiana. The Service will begin at 11 a.m. Serving as honorary pallbearers will be Russ Van Norman, III, Anil Veluvolu, Connor Couvillon, Van Van Norman, Cage Van Norman, Ayan Veluvolu, Robert Ryder, Ted Van Norman, Wick Cooper, III, and Kevin Ryder. Carolyn and Rusty made south Louisiana their home for 50+ years. We look forward to celebrating Carolyn's life with friends and family from that area on March 28, 2026 at Jubans Restaurant of Baton Rouge in the Hallelujah Room from 11am until 2pm.To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.