Bowling champ's sudden death.A TEESSIDE bowling legend who became an inspiration for all in the game has died. Norma Shaw, whose career pinnacle pinnacle (pĭn`ĭkəl), minor architectural motif of vertical tapering shape, usually crowning a pier, buttress, or gable. Although sometimes it appears in Renaissance design, as in the Certosa di Pavia, it is almost exclusively a medieval came in 1981 when she became the world singles champion in the Commonwealth Games Commonwealth games, series of amateur athletic meets held among citizens of countries in the Commonwealth of Nations. Originated (1930) as the British Empire games, the series is held every four years and is patterned after the Olympic games; women have participated in Toronto, died at her Norton home last week. When friends were unable to get an answer at her home last Thursday police were called. They forced their way in and found her dead. She celebrated her 72nd birthday last Monday and played her last game on Tuesday. She told the Gazette a few weeks before her death: "Bowls has been marvellous. It has allowed me to travel not only in this country but all over the world." Her life-long friend and international bowling companion Joyce Jones, also 72, said: "We have bowled together since 1972. We played on Tuesday and we had a really happy time. It is something good to remember. She will be missed worldwide in bowling." Gazette bowls correspondent Tony Frosdick said: "I have known Norma for 37 years and her record speaks for itself. When I first started she was an inspiration to all. In what was then a man's game, she stood out. "Her balance and fluid delivery made her a role model for anyone taking up the game." Her successes included winning silver in the triples in 1988 and 2000, silver in the fours in 1988 and bronze in the singles in 81, '85 and '88. She helped the English team win the overall world team trophy in 1981, 1988 and 2000 and at the Commonwealth Games she won a triples bronze in Brisbane in 1982, a bronze in the singles in Victoria, Canada in 1984 and four bronzes in Kuala Lumpur Kuala Lumpur (kwä`lə l  m`pr), city (1990 est. pop. in 1998.
In the Atlantic Rim games, she won a gold in the singles and a silver in the pairs in Florida in 1993 while helping England win the team trophy. In 1995 in Durban, she won silvers in the singles and pairs and took silver when the Atlantic Rim Games returned to South Africa South Africa, Afrikaans Suid-Afrika, officially Republic of South Africa, republic (2005 est. pop. 44,344,000), 471,442 sq mi (1,221,037 sq km), S Africa. in 1999. She also excelled on indoor greens and took the world singles title at Llanelli in 1997. She was awarded an MBE MBE (in Britain) Member of the Order of the British Empire MBE n abbr (BRIT) (= Member of the Order of the British Empire) → tÃtulo ceremonial MBE n abbr (Brit) (= for services to bowling in 1986. Since her 20s, she had lived in Norton and played for Norton, Ropner Park and Thornaby Indoors clubs. Her long career began when, with husband Dennis, she was walking by Norton Green. They stopped to watch a match, got into conversation and were invited to join the club. Dennis died a few years ago. We've opened an online Book of Condolence where family and friends are invited to post tributes. Go to gazettelive.co.uk/condolences CAPTION(S): CHAMPION: Norma Shaw MBE displaying her impressive skills in 2004, above, and right, pictured with her World Ladies Champion trophy in 1981 |
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